NRCC to advance four in Young Guns program

The NRCC is set to name three GOP candidates to its Young Guns program and advance another candidate to the next stage.

The committee will add the following candidats to the first stage of its program, “on the radar”: Mike Grimm, who is challenging Rep. Mike McMahon (D-N.Y.); state Rep. Jon Loughlin, who is challenging Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.); and state Sen. Dan Debicella, who is challenging Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.).

Moving from the “on the radar” stage to the second, “contender,” stage is Ohio businessman Jim Renacci, who is challenging Rep. John Boccieri (D-Ohio). The third and final stage of the program is “Young Gun.”

Grimm is a former FBI agent who joins primary opponent Michael Allegretti in the program. Debicella is the first Himes challenger on the list, but he faces a primary with former state Sen. Rob Russo. Loughlin was named to the program a day after convicted former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci (R) suggested he may challenge Kennedy as well.

Renacci is an Arena Football League team owner who raised more than $200,000 in the third quarter.

Expect all of these candidates to turn in solid fourth quarters, which undoubtedly played into the promotions.