House Dems expand top recruits list

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has added nine candidates to its “Red to Blue” list, a designation singling out strong campaigns in open or Republican-held districts.

{mosads}The nine Democrats are all recent primary winners in potentially competitive races: Former FEMA Director James Lee Witt in Arkansas, Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar and beekeeper Michael Eggman in California, state Rep. Pat Murphy and Iraq War veteran Jim Mowrer in Iowa, Nebraska state Sen. Brad Ashford, military veterans Kevin Strouse and Manan Trivedi in Pennsylvania, and former West Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Nick Casey.

The additions double the full Red to Blue list.

“These strong candidates have all shown an unwavering dedication to growing an economy that works for middle class families, and proved they will take the fight to this Republican Congress that continually stacks the deck for special interests and protects their own perks at the expense of everyone else,” said DCCC Chairman Steve Israel (D-N.Y.). “All of these candidates have met and surpassed demanding campaign goals, and shown they have a path to victory and have what it takes to win.”

Democrats are hoping they can win enough races to offset losses in a few of their open districts and gain a few seats this election cycle.