As Democrats gain momentum in the run-up to November, the Blue Dog PAC is expanding its support in key battleground races, endorsing seven new candidates seeking to flip Republican-held seats.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Blue Dog PAC announced its endorsement of seven candidates running in Republican-held House districts where Democrats are expanding the battlefield this cycle: Nancy Lacore in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, Dwayne Romero in Colorado’s 3rd, Eileen Laubacher in Colorado’s 4th, Paul Barringer in North Carolina’s 13th, Don Coover in Kansas’s 2nd, Amanda Marie Green in Florida’s 2nd, and Zack Mullock in New Jersey’s 2nd.
Rep. Adam Gray, Blue Dog PAC Chair, said: “These candidates have flown helicopters and led soldiers, run ranches and family farms, managed city budgets, and found ways to save taxpayers money. They’ve spent their careers making tough decisions and taking responsibility for the consequences. That’s experience Washington could use a lot more of.
“Democrats shouldn’t write off communities just because they’re represented by Republicans. We should be competing everywhere, with candidates who understand their communities, respect the people they hope to represent, and are focused on making life more affordable.
“These seven candidates give voters a real choice in November. Blue Dog PAC is excited to support their campaigns, and we intend to help them win.”
Meet the Blue Dog candidates expanding the battlefield:
Nancy Lacore (SC-01) is a retired Navy Vice Admiral whose 35-year career included service as a helicopter pilot, Vice Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, and Chief of the Navy Reserve. She faces Republican Jenny Costa Honeycutt for the open seat in South Carolina’s 1st District, which Rep. Nancy Mace is vacating.
Dwayne Romero (CO-03) is an Army veteran who served as a combat engineer and a small business owner. He is challenging Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd in the district that covers much of rural western and southern Colorado.
Eileen Laubacher (CO-04) is a retired Navy two-star admiral and former member of the National Security Council staff. She is challenging Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert in eastern Colorado’s 4th District.
Paul Barringer (NC-13) manages his family’s tree farming business and works as a healthcare consultant and pro bono attorney. He is challenging Republican Rep. Brad Knott in the district surrounding Raleigh, running on rural health care, standing up for farmers, and fiscal responsibility.
Don Coover (KS-02) is a retired Army Captain, rancher, and veterinarian whose practice serves local and regional livestock producers throughout southeast Kansas. Don is challenging Republican Rep. Derek Schmidt, running on his roots in the region’s ranching community and the toll agricultural tariffs have taken on its economy.
Amanda Marie Green (FL-02) is a former USAID contractor who specialized in cutting government waste. She won a four-way primary and now faces Republican Austin Rogers for the open seat covering Tallahassee, Panama City, and the Florida Panhandle, which Rep. Neal Dunn is leaving.
Zack Mullock (NJ-02) is the two-term mayor of Cape May and a small business owner. He is challenging Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew in the district that covers South Jersey.
These seven endorsements bring the total number of candidates endorsed by Blue Dog PAC this cycle to twenty-three. The Blue Dog PAC works to support the House Blue Dogs, a coalition of House Democrats who stand for fiscal stability and national security. Blue Dogs embrace bipartisanship and work to find common sense solutions to the challenges facing our country. Blue Dogs have been at the center of the most important bipartisan policy agreements in Congress over the last 25 years.