NRCC Re-Launches “Young Guns” Program, Announces New “On the Radar” Candidates

Washington — The National Republican Congressional Committee today announced the first round of candidates to reach the “On the Radar” level of the “Young Guns” program. The “Young Guns” program was started in the 2007-2008 cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI) as a Member-driven program, and in 2009 Chairman Sessions adapted the program as the NRCC’s official blueprint for recruiting candidates for open seats and unseating Democrat incumbents across the country. Reps. Cantor, McCarthy and Ryan remain active in the program, helping candidates fight the failed Democrat status quo in Washington. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) is leading candidate recruitment this cycle as the NRCC’s Vice Chair for Recruitment.

“These five candidates have proven themselves by meeting critical benchmarks toward building winning campaigns to defeat Washington Democrats’ failed agenda,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “These candidates are ready to fight for pro-growth solutions on behalf of middle-class families and small businesses that are struggling under Democrats’ tax, borrow and spend policies. With strong candidates like our first On the Radar candidates, Democrats face an even more difficult road on their drive to make Nancy Pelosi Speaker again.”

In reaching the first of three levels in the “Young Guns” program, these five Republican candidates are demonstrating their ability to reach important organizational and fundraising benchmarks that will bring their campaigns closer to victory over the Democrats who continue to control Washington.

“Our first five candidates to reach On the Radar are business owners, job creators, and dedicated public servants who represent Americans’ frustration with Washington’s job-destroying economic policies,” said NRCC Deputy Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR). “These five candidates have all displayed the ability to establish strong campaigns very early in a cycle where, despite the historic gains in the last election, opportunities for pick-ups remain in play for Republicans. I congratulate these candidates for their leadership in achieving clear goals and securing resources towards election victory.”

“The Young Guns program was critical to retaking the House last cycle, but there is more we must do to move this country in the right direction,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA). “That means continuing to identify, recruit and resource the best and brightest candidates using the Young Guns platform. I look forward to working with the NRCC to increase our majority next year and congratulate these candidates on their hard work.”

“The Young Gun program was designed to bring change to Washington and we are excited that around the country, strong candidates are doing what’s needed to win in 2012,” said House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). “We need the strongest Republicans running in districts like these to ensure we are able to put in place policies to get people back to work and put our country on a path to fiscal sanity.”

The NRCC’s “On the Radar” Candidates Are:

To learn more, click here.