11 Candidates Announced as ‘Contender’ as Part of NRCC’s ‘Young Guns’ Program

The National Republican Congressional Committee announced their first round of ‘Contender’ candidates today ahead of the 2016 elections. ‘Contender’ is the second level of the Committee’s ‘Young Guns’ program, which helps to provide candidates and their campaigns the tools they need to run successful, winning campaigns against their Democrat opponents.

“While our Republican majority continues to work hard to move our country forward, we know there is still more to be done,” said NRCC Chairman Greg Walden. “These 11 candidates have proven themselves to be exemplary leaders in their communities and they are exactly the kind of leaders we need in Washington. I am confident these candidates will continue to run strong campaigns as they spread the message and values of the Republican party across the country.”

The Young Guns program supports and mentors challenger and open-seat candidates in races across the country. Officially an NRCC effort for the past three election cycles, the program requires its candidates to work towards specific goals and meet benchmarks throughout the year to ensure their campaigns remain competitive, well-funded and communicative within their districts. “Contender” is the second of three levels in the Young Guns program and the final step before candidates reach “Young Gun” status. In the 2014 election cycle, the program helped to elect 45 new Republican Members to the 114th Congress.

Contender Candidates:

Scott Jones (CA-07)

Katcho Achadjian (CA-24)

Justin Fareed (CA-24)

Rebecca Negron (FL-18)

Stewart Mills (MN-08)

Michael Roberson (NV-03)

Danny Tarkanian (NV-03)

Jack Martins (NY-03)

John Faso (NY-19)

Andrew Heaney (NY-19)

Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08)