Democrats Joe Garcia and Raul Martinez -- who are challenging Republican Reps. Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart -- made the cut to participate in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's vaunted Red to Blue program -- giving them headliner status as the party tries to pick up more seats in the House.
It also means more fundraising help and technical campaign support from the national party.
The DCCC says the 14 candidates qualified by "surpassing demanding fundraising goals and skillfully demonstrating to voters that they stand for change and will represent new priorities when elected to Congress."
DCCC chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen said the 14 are "running strong campaigns" and that with less than 5 months to go before the election, "the Red to Blue program will give these candidates the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November."
The DCCC also tagged Annette Taddeo's challenge against Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, as an "emerging race," which could qualify for the Red to Blue program.
Democrats believe they have the best shot ever at unseating the three Miami GOP'ers. Lincoln and Mario will be the beneficiaries Friday of a Naples fundraiser hosted by President Bush, who despite tanking popularity numbers remains one of the GOP's most successful fundraisers.
Garcia said he was "humbled by the overwhelming support" and singled out Van Hollen, along with Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Kendrick Meek, who attracted criticism for saying they wouldn't actively campaign for the three Democrats. But the DCCC noted that Wasserman Schultz joined Van Hollen to make the announcement.
"They understand better than anyone that six years of Mario Diaz-Balart picking party politics over principles and families has not worked for South Florida," Garcia said.
All three Democrats slightly outpaced their rivals in the first fundraising quarter and Martinez said he was "pleased that the Democratic party hears the voters desperate call to get this country back on track."
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