NRCC Announces Addition of 8 Candidates to ‘MAGA Majority’ Program as GOP Expands 2026 Map

April 27, 2026

Today, National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) announced the additions of Jim Desmond (CA-48), Aaron Flint (MT-01), Brinker Harding (NE-02), Greg Cunningham (NM-02), Carrie Buck (NV-01), Marty O’Donnell (NV-03), Eric Conroy (OH-01), and John Braun (WA-03) to the MAGA Majority program, as the NRCC continues building a strong pipeline of America First candidates to help protect and expand the House Republican majority in 2026.

“House Republicans are on offense, and this latest round of MAGA Majority candidates proves we’re not slowing down. These are battle-tested leaders who reflect their districts and are ready to take the fight to vulnerable Democrats. With the right candidates in place early, we’re expanding the map and putting more seats firmly in play for 2026.” – NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson

The NRCC’s MAGA Majority program supports candidates in battleground districts across the country and works to provide them with the necessary tools to run successful, winning campaigns against their Democrat opponents.

The full list of 17 MAGA Majority candidates includes:

Jay Feely (AZ-01)
Kevin Lincoln (CA-13)
Jim Desmond (CA-48)
Joe Mitchell (IA-02)
Paul LePage (ME-02)
Aaron Flint (MT-01)
Laurie Buckhout (NC-01)
Brinker Harding (NE-02)
Greg Cunningham (NM-02)
Carrie Buck (NV-01)
Marty O’Donnell (NV-03)
Mike LiPetri (NY-03)
Peter Oberacker (NY-19)
Eric Conroy (OH-01)
Tano Tijerina (TX-28)
Eric Flores (TX-34)
John Braun (WA-03)

Background:

The second round of MAGA Majority candidates includes:
- Jim Desmond (CA-48), a San Diego County Supervisor, a U.S. Navy veteran, a former mayor, and a former small business owner who is standing up to help working families;
- Aaron Flint (MT-01), a father, husband, and a fifth-generation Montanan who served in our military for over 20 years and is now running to serve Montanans in Congress;
- Brinker Harding (NE-02), a business leader and Omaha City councilman;
- Greg Cunningham (NM-02), a Marine Corps combat veteran and former Albuquerque police officer;
- Carrie Buck (NV-01), a Nevada State Senator, lifelong educator and former school principal, mother of four, and the wife of a retired Henderson Deputy Police Chief;
- Marty O’Donnell (NV-03), a former small business owner and a music composer and audio designer, is best known for his work on the Halo and Destiny video games;
- Eric Conroy (OH-01), an Air Force veteran and former CIA Officer who managed operations in war zones overseas to defend our country;
- and John Braun (WA-03), a manufacturing business owner, State Senate Minority Leader representing Southwest Washington, and a veteran with 31 years of service to our country.
The MAGA Majority program highlights a slate of strong candidates running in key battleground districts across the country who embody the Trump agenda: securing the border, lowering costs, restoring energy dominance, and putting American workers first.
The NRCC will provide MAGA Majority candidates with early support, strategic resources, and visibility as Republicans expand the map and go on offense in vulnerable Democrat districts.
With over a dozen Democrats currently sitting in Trump-won seats, the battlefield is already favorable for Republicans, and the MAGA Majority is designed to capitalize on that opportunity.
MAGA Majority is the new name for the NRCC’s long-time Young Guns program.

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