But picking up those seats will not be easy. Only a handful are competitive each election cycle. With protective redistricting and the advantages of being the elected office-holder, incumbents are very difficult to defeat. But to hold onto and expand a Democratic Majority in Congress, defeating incumbent Republicans is mandatory.
In order to pick up more seats in the House, the Democrats need to be able to challenge around 50 Republican-held seats.
Most of us can not write 50 checks to 50 candidates for office. But if we pool our resources, and donate money strategically, then we can help "Expand the Map" of competitive districts and force Republicans to protect more of their incumbents, as well as pick up some unexpected seats for the Democrats.
To that end, Blue Catapult PAC focuses on supporting Democratic candidates for Congress who are challenging incumbent Republicans or Republican-held open seats, or helping a few vulnerable freshmen members. We "adopt" Democratic challengers -- usually challengers that could run competitive races IF they get the support that they need. We then raise funds through events, house parties and direct donations in order to funnel donations to their campaigns.
By donating to Blue Catapult, you are helping several Democratic campaigns for Congress at once -- and helping put more Republican incumbents in danger.
Blue Catapult will announce its adopted candidates for the 2008 election cycle soon. Here are the candidates we supported in 2006:
Darcy Burner (WA-08)
Chris Carney (PA-10)
Eric Massa (NY-29)
Dan Seals (IL-10)
Angie Paccione (CO-04)
John Cranley (OH-1)
Victoria Wulsin (OH-2)
Phyllis Busansky (FL-09)
Jerry McNerney (CA-11)
Larry Grant (ID-01)
Please consider donating at the following levels:
- $25 Baby Blue
- $35 Cobalt Blue
- $70 Sky Blue
- $125 Royal Blue
- $500 and up Blue Diamond
