The National Republican Congressional Committee and House GOP leaders invited 15 of their marquee recruits to Washington this week for a “candidate school” — several days of workshops and speeches by top House Republicans — according to a campaign aide whose candidate attended.

The 15 House candidates asked by leadership to attend the session are among the strongest GOP challengers in the country this year. Five are candidates reprising 2010 runs that finished as five of the nine nearest GOP misses in 2010: Randy Altschuler (NY-01), Andy Barr (KY-06), Matt Doheny (NY-21), Jackie Walorski (IN-02) and Keith Rothfus (PA-12). The other 10 candidates invited were Joe Coors (CO-07), Steve Daines (MT-AL), Ricky Gill (CA-09), Abel Maldonado (CA-24), Rick Snuffer (WV-03), John Tavaglione (CA-41), Richard Tisei (MA-06), David Valadao (CA-21), Kim Vann (CA-03), and Ann Wagner (MO-02).

Many of the sessions briefed candidates on nuts-and-bolts campaign subjects like fundraising, media training, and harnessing new media. But several focused on nationalizing House Republicans’ 2012 campaign message: Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy’s presentation, which he gave Tuesday night, was titled “Fighting Washington.”

Events over the two-day session included meeting with the whole Republican conference on Tuesday and speeches and presentations by GOP leaders including NRCC Chair Pete Sessions, McCarthy and Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan. The candidates will meet Speaker John Boehner Wednesday evening.

The candidates, 10 of whom are in the highest current designation of the NRCC’s “Young Guns” challengers program, are a mix of the party’s best fundraisers and those running in districts that are the among the best pickup opportunities. At the end of the last Federal Elections Commission reporting period, nine of the candidates were among the top 20 GOP challengers in the country in terms of cash on-hand. At the end of last year, Wagner and Tisei posted the two best non-incumbent fundraising quarters among all Republicans nationwide.

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/03/nrcc-hosting-to.php

LEMOORE — Touting his status as the only person living in the district, Assemblyman David Valadao, R-Hanford, officially launched his congressional campaign in Lemoore this week in front of a roomful of supporters.
“Kings County being my strong point, I want to do it here,” said Valadao, who is part of a family dairy business south of Hanford.

Valadao is running in the new 21st Congressional District, which pushed out Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, when redistricting lines were drawn last year. Costa is now seeking re-election in the 16th Congressional District stretching north from Fresno.

The 21st District includes all of Kings and parts of Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties. It leaves out the city of Fresno, but incorporates part of Bakersfield. Candidates are not required to live in the district.

As of 3 p.m. Friday, Valadao faces three candidates on the Democratic side — John Hernandez, CEO of the Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Blong Xiong, Fresno city councilman; and Randall Guerra, CEO of Sanger-based Aspera Housing Inc. The filing deadline was 5 p.m.

Hernandez announced his candidacy in January. He said he hasn’t been helped by speculation that other big Democratic names were going to enter the race. Former state Sen. Dean Florez, former Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and current 16th State Senate District incumbent Michael Rubio all flirted with running, but never filed.

“I actually had to wait for endorsements until the filing deadline arrived,” he said.

Valadao campaign staff members think the withdrawal of all the high-profile Democratic names, particularly Bustamante, is good news for their man.

“The Democrats are kind of in a tough spot,” said Tal Eslick, Valadao campaign manager. “The guys they wanted in this race haven’t jumped in.”

Valadao, who has been raising money since August, has about $400,000 in his campaign war chest. Last month, he achieved “contender” status in the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Young Guns program, which identified promising candidates for funding and support. The “contender” status is the third of four steps in the program.

Hernandez has about $40,000 on hand. Hernandez is courting the Democratic National Congressional Committee, but hasn’t received funding commitments yet.

Valadao’s Kings County supporters, many of whom had soured on Costa, like the fact that he is a hometown candidate.

“It was good to see somebody like David coming to run,” said Lemoore resident Russ Jordan. “He is right from here.”

“I’m the only one with ties to the district,” Valadao said. “I’ve got the energy to do this.”
Candidates in other Kings County races include:

Assembly, 32nd District: Bakersfield City Council member Rudy Salas (D); Kern County Supervisor Jon McQuiston (R); former Delano Councilman Pedro Rios (R); Dave Thomas (R), former member of the Hanford City Council.

Board of Supervisors, District 2: Supervisor Richard Valle; former Avenal City Councilman Sid Craighead; Ron Hoggard, interim Hanford city manager and former Corcoran city manager; Brandon LaMattino, president of the Lakeside Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees; Corcoran District Hospital director Donald Chavez.

Board of Supervisors, District 5: Supervisor Richard Fagundes; businessman Bezabih “Buzz” Felleke; Alfred Benavidez, a bookkeeper and former trustee for the Hanford Joint Union High School District.

Judge: Judge George Orndoff; Hanford attorney Jennifer Lee Giuliani.

The election will be held June 5. The top two candidates will advance to a November run-off, although hopefuls in the supervisor and judge races can win outright if they get more than 50 percent of the June vote.

http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/valadao-confident-about-congressional-run/article_830c4bf2-6a5d-11e1-9f44-001871e3ce6c.html#ixzz1sAwsd2Qy

HANFORD, CA – Assemblyman David G. Valadao, candidate for California’s newly drawn 21st Congressional district released the following statement following the announcement that State Senator Michael Rubio will not run for Congress.

“I respect the fact that Michael made what he feels is the best decision for his family and wish them the best,” said Valadao, “My family and I remain committed to this race. We will continue working to earn support throughout the Valley,” said Valadao.

HANFORD, CA – The National Republican Congressional Committee today announced David Valadao as an ‘On the Radar’ candidate, the important second step in the ‘Young Guns’ program. Founded by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the ‘Young Guns’ program is a Member-driven effort that is the primary method for recruiting strong candidates for both open-seat and challenger races. Valadao is running for California’s newly drawn 21st Congressional District.

“We are looking forward to working with David Valadao, who has already proven himself by meeting rigorous benchmarks in the ‘Young Guns’ program that will position his campaign for victory,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “David Valadao’s dedication and experience enables him to advocate effectively for pro-growth policies and fight the failed status quo in Washington.”

Specifically, the ‘Young Guns’ program encourages candidates who have proven their ability to meet crucial campaign benchmarks to develop their campaigns further in order to achieve victory on Election Day. In achieving ‘On the Radar’ status, David Valadao has met organizational and fundraising benchmarks.

“I am proud to have gained the confidence of the National Republican Congressional Committee, I will now continue to focus on sharing my message of private sector job creation and securing a reliable water supply with my friends and neighbors in the Central Valley,” said David Valadao, “As a farmer and dairyman, I believe I am best suited to represent the newly drawn 21st Congressional district.”

David Valadao is a farmer and dairyman from Hanford, CA. In 2010 he was elected to represent the 30th Assembly District after defeating his Democrat opponent by over 20% in a district that nearly mirrors California’s newly drawn 21st Congressional district.