DCCC neglects six for now

The first phase of Democratic candidates to benefit from the House Democrats’ Red to Blue fundraising program includes six fewer candidates than originally reported.

Democrats are raising money for 16 candidates, according to fundraising packets obtained by The Hill, not the 22 previously touted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).

The neglected six are Darcy Burner, challenger to Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.); John Cranley, who is taking on Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio); Jill Derby, running for the vacant seat of Rep. James Gibbons (R-Nev.); Kirsten Gillibrand in Rep. John Sweeney’s (R-N.Y.) district; Tessa Hafen, challenger to Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.); and Harry Mitchell, running against Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.).

A DCCC spokeswoman said the six would be included in the second phase of the program.

Bill Hyers, campaign manager for Gillibrand, said he is not concerned that his candidate was missing from the first fundraising effort.

“We’ve been given a timetable. I’ve been assured that we’ll get money before the end of the quarter,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Harry Mitchell was similarly unfazed.

“He definitely is on the list. ... [Rep.] Rahm Emanuel [D-Ill.] called him and told him so.”