Newest House Republican added to GOP protection list

The House GOP’s campaign arm moved quickly to protect its newest member on Friday, adding Rep. Dan Donovan (R-N.Y.) to a program that protects vulnerable incumbents just three days after he was sworn into office.

Donovan, the Staten Island district attorney who led the investigation into the death of Eric Garner, easily won last week’s special election to replace disgraced former Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) in New York’s 11th District.

{mosads}However, Donovan will be up for reelection again in just 19 months and will likely face a stiffer challenge than he did in the low-turnout special election in which Democrats struggled to find a candidate. 

The 11th District leans conservative in nonpresidential years. Grimm coasted to reelection in the district in 2014, despite having a 20-count indictment hanging over his head.

But the district is generally competitive during presidential years, and Democrats could get a boost in turnout if Hillary Clinton, a former New York senator, is at the top of the ticket.

To boost Donovan’s efforts, national Republicans added him to the Patriot Program on Friday. The program, which includes 20 other mostly freshman lawmakers in swing districts, provides members with financial and campaign support.

“After a hard-fought win in New York’s 11th District special election, Dan Donovan has proven he is able to run a strong and successful campaign,” Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement.

“Dan is ready to hit the ground running in Washington and fight for transportation improvements, a better economy and good paying jobs for the folks in his district,” he continued. “I am excited to watch Dan’s success in Congress and work together to ensure his re-election in 2016 and beyond.”  

Democrats have already vowed to contest the seat in 2016.

“NY-11 will be highly competitive in 2016 and the DCCC will be actively engaged in taking back this seat,” Rep. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said in a statement following Donovan’s special election victory last week.

“The general election will be a much more positive climate for Democrats up and down the ticket in New York, particularly if Hillary Clinton leads the charge, and we are confident that Dan Donovan will simply be a seat warmer,” Luján said.