NRCC names top targets, DCCC names top candidates

[publicunofficial]

The NRCC has named their top 7 targets, referred to as the Red Zone. It's essentially a list of Democrats in red districts.

John Barrow (GA-12)
Collin Peterson (MN-7)
Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-1)
Ron Barber (AZ-2)
Mike McIntyre (NC-7)
Jim Matheson (UT-4)
Nick Rahall (WV-3)


In addition, the DCCC has unveiled a new fundraising tool for their top recruited candidates called Jumpstart. The candidates are:

Michael Romanoff (CO-6)
Ann Callis (IL-13)
Jim Graves (MN-6)
Michael Eggman (CA-10)
Pete Aguillar (CA-31)
Gwen Graham (FL-2)
Domenic Recchia (NY-11)
Kevin Strouse (PA-8)

I approve of the endorsement of Aguillar over Baca, and the rest of the candidates.

[publicunofficial]

Lol at AZ having two on the list, it's amazing what nonpartisan redistricting can do.

I think it's been noted that the AZ commission's maps leaned towards the Democrats, kind of like how the Washington and New Jersey commissions' maps leaned towards Republicans.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/04/22/1201551/-Did-Gerrymandering-Cost-Dems-the-House-A-33-State-Look-at-Alternative-Non-Partisan-Maps

The Arizona commission drew maps with the intent of making as many competitive seats as possible, which the Democrats ended up winning. If they drew a map based just on communities and population, the 1st would be more R favorable.

The New Jersey map was drawn to protet all incumbents, creating a 6-6 map when it should be 7-5 or 8-4 Dem. The Washington map was also incumbent protection, but Inslee resigned to run for Governor so his district became the only non-safe district.