Keith Fimian in the 11th Congressional District and Scott Rigell in the 2nd Congressional District have made it onto the “top 40” list of the National Republican Campaign Committee.
The so-called “Young Guns” program was established by Reps. Cantor, McCarthy and Ryan in 2007 in order to recruit and elect Republicans in open-seat and challenger campaigns.
“These candidates have become formidable contenders by meeting the rigorous goals laid out by the Young Guns program and putting in place the pieces for a winning campaign,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions. “The early progress of these candidates is not only a testament to the Young Guns program, it is a sign of the changing political environment that Democrats will have to face next year. As these challengers continue to meet the benchmarks we have set for them, they are preparing themselves for tough campaigns to hold Democrats accountable for the big-government agenda they are inflicting on American families.”
For Rigell, this is particularly good news as it shows the strength of his campaign early in the nomination process.
(Yes, Virginia, we’re only six days away from beginning a new political season…excited? Yeah…me too.)
In related news, Charlie Diradour, a Democrat living in the 3rd District, dropped his bid yesterday to challenge Republican Whip Eric Cantor (VA-07).
