NRCC adds eight to 'contenders' list

The National Republican Congressional Committee has moved eight candidates to its "Contenders" list, the second-highest ranking for its challengers.

The list includes a number of strong Republican recruits in Democratic-leaning districts: Kim Vann, challenging Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.); John Tavaglione, running for an open California House seat; Joe Coors, who is challenging Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.); Ben Lange, Rep. Bruce Braley's (D-Iowa) opponent; John Archer and Dan Dolan, who are in a primary to challenge Rep. David Loebsack (D-Iowa); David Rouzer, who won his primary to challenge Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.); and Maggie Brooks, who is running against Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.).

Of the group, Rouzer likely has the best chance to win — McIntyre is a tough campaigner but was put in a heavily Republican district in redistricting, and The Hill rates the race as a toss-up. The others are mostly long shots in a year in which the GOP is mostly playing defense, although some might prove to be strong enough campaigners to give their opponents fits.