The National Republican Congressional Committee on Monday announced eight additional candidates to its target list as Republicans seek to defend their House majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The candidate program, recently rebranded from the Young Guns initiative to the MAGA Majority, aims at boosting contenders in battleground districts who align themselves with President Donald Trump’s agenda of “securing the border, lowering costs, restoring energy dominance, and putting American workers first,” according to the NRCC.
“House Republicans are on offense, and this latest round of MAGA Majority candidates proves we’re not slowing down,” said NRCC Chairman Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) in a statement. “With the right candidates in place early, we’re expanding the map and putting more seats firmly in play for 2026.”
The committee first unveiled the program in March with an initial slate of nine candidates. They said the effort is designed to provide recruits with early support, strategic resources, and increased visibility in vulnerable districts.
The newest additions include business leaders, military veterans, and local and state politicians from several key battleground states such as California, Washington, Nevada, and Ohio.
Three candidates are seeking open seats: Jim Desmond in California’s 48th District, Aaron Flint in Montana’s 1st District, and Brinker Harding in Nebraska’s 2nd District.
The five others are challenging Democratic incumbents: Greg Cunningham against Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-MN), Carrie Buck against Rep. Dina Titus (D-NM), Marty O’Donnell against Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV), Eric Conroy against Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH), and John Braunis against Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-OH).
Republicans face a challenging political environment heading into November, with Democrats boosted by a string of recent special election victories and increasingly focused on affordability amid high energy prices.
TRUMP WON A COALITION. NOW HE’S TESTING ITS LIMITS
Still, the NRCC remains optimistic.
“With over a dozen Democrats currently sitting in Trump-won seats, the battlefield is already favorable for Republicans, and the MAGA Majority is designed to capitalize on that opportunity,” the committee said.