NRCC expects surge in recruits

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is expecting a small wave of recruits in the coming weeks, including filling holes in several top targeted races.

The committee is expecting recruits to emerge soon against Reps. Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.), John Barrow (D-Ga.), Baron Hill (D-Ind.), David Loebsack (D-Iowa) and Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), who are all without major committee-recruited GOP challengers. All but Barrow are freshmen.

{mosads}The NRCC is meeting with potential candidates against Murphy and Rep. Paul Hodes (D-N.H.), another freshman without a major opponent.

Meanwhile, Indiana Republicans have been anxiously awaiting word from former Rep. Mike Sodrel (R), who is rumored to be in for a fourth straight match-up with Hill. And Iraq veteran Wayne Mosley, an orthopedic surgeon, has been mentioned as a potential challenger to Barrow.

A recruiting surge would be a welcome development for the committee, which has in recent days seen a private argument between Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) over its performance spill into public view.

“Much to the dismay of Democrats, another flurry of strong challengers are being recruited and joining an already stellar list of top-tier Republican candidates,” said NRCC spokesman Ken Spain. “This flurry of candidates that will be coming forward in the next few weeks only further proves our point that Republicans at the local level see an opportunity in taking on a very weak Democrat-led Congress.”