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The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) will hold a fundraiser on July 16 for the latest additions to its Regain Our Majority Program (ROMP), a list that includes three candidates running for open congressional seats. Ohio state Sen. Steve Stivers, former Senate aide Pete Olson (Texas) and Pennsylvania businessman Chris Hackett join incumbent Reps. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), Phil English (Pa.) and Floridians Tom Feeney, Mario Diaz-Balart and Lincoln Diaz-Balart on the list. The addition of the Diaz-Balarts and Feeney reflects an acknowledgment of the difficult environment House Republicans face in Florida this election cycle. Republicans lost two seats in 2006 and Rep. Ric Keller (R) — a member of the first wave of the ROMP program — also faces a serious challenger this cycle. House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) will host the July fundraiser. ROMP — originally the Retain Our Majority Program — was created by former Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) to raise money to retain incumbents and assist challengers who sit in targeted districts. This is the second ROMP event in 2008. The first, held in April, benefited Reps. Michele Bachmann (Minn.), Sam Graves (Mo.), Jean Schmidt (Ohio), Bill Sali (Idaho) and Tim Walberg (Mich.), as well as Keller and ex-Rep. Anne Northup (Ky.), Minnesota state Rep. Erik Paulson and Sheriff Darren White, who is running for a House seat in New Mexico. Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) was also included in the April ROMP list, but announced in May that he would retire at the end of his term. Four ROMP events usually occur each cycle. The first two raise funds for the most endangered incumbents, while the third is meant to allow members and fundraisers to go on the offensive. The fourth tends to be a final push to raise money for members in desperate need of campaign cash. |
