Red to Blue

Can Jill Derby beat U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Carson City)?  The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee seems to think so with their addition of Derby to the "Red to Blue" program for targeted congressional districts.

With almost a 7 to 1 fundraising advantage, the DCCC now has the luxury of targeting races where they traditionally have no chance, such as the Heller seat.

Jill Derby, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Carson City) in the 2nd Congressional District, has been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” fundraising program.

“The candidates for change being named to the DCCC Red to Blue program are running solid campaigns and are committed to making things easier for middle class families in their districts,” said U.S. Rep. and DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen (R-MD). “With less than 100 days to make their case for change to voters in their districts, the Red to Blue program will give these candidates the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November.”

Derby is challenging Heller in a rematch of their 2006 race. Heller won that battle by a narrow 13,000 vote margin. The district, which spans the northern part of the Silver State and includes the cities of Reno, Sparks, and Carson City, is seen as heavily conservative. Bush carried the district with 57 percent of the vote in the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns.