Top Dem group reveals new congressional targets in bid to flip House: 'Proven fighters'

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is adding five new races to its Red to Blue list, a program that looks to equip candidates in particularly competitive districts.

The Red to Blue program is backing Tom Perriello in Virginia, Nancy Lacore in South Carolina, Matt Dunlap in Maine, Zach Dembo in Kentucky and Leela Gray in Florida, bringing the program’s designated races to a total of 37.

The additions indicate a growing number of seats the party’s House campaign arm believes it can win as they try to retake the House of Representatives , where Republicans hold a slim majority.

The announcement also telegraphs further investment in those particular races.

DEMOCRATS TARGET MORE GOP HOUSE SEATS AFTER SOCIALIST VICTORIES ROCK LEFT-WING PRIMARIES "All of these candidates are proven fighters who are running strong campaigns, talking to every voter, and building coalitions across the ideological spectrum to power their victories in November." DCCC Chair Rep.

Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said in a statement.

The five new candidates can expect to receive strategic guidance, staff resources, training and fundraising support "to ensure they are in the best possible position to win in November," Red to Blue stated in a press release.

Notably, all five candidates have some record of prior public or military service.

Leela Gray, running in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, captured the Democratic nomination on Tuesday evening, highlighting her 30-year Army career, during which she rose to the rank of brigadier general.

Her record is similar to that of Nancy Lacore, the Democratic candidate in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, and her story as a former three-star Navy admiral.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS' CAMPAIGN ARM DRAWS PROGRESSIVE FURY FOR TRYING TO 'TIP THE SCALES' IN KEY HOUSE PRIMARY Similarly, Zach Dembo, who is trying to flip Kentucky’s 6th District, served as a Navy JAG officer and DOJ prosecutor.

The remaining two candidates — Matt Dunlap in Maine’s 2nd District and Tom Perriello, the Democratic nominee in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District — both have held public office before.

Dunlap served as Maine Secretary of State, while Perriello is a former congressman.

Despite the additional focus, most of the districts are relatively safe for Republicans.