"Young Guns" not so young; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

By Diana Marrero 10.27.2009

Turns out you don’t have to be so young to be considered a potential “Young Gun” by the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The committee, which works to elect Republican House members, announced it added 32 candidates to its “Young Guns” recruitment program Tuesday. Three of the candidates are from Wisconsin and two of them are not that young.

Dan Kapanke, a state senator from La Crosse, is 62. Reid Ribble, a roofing contractor from Kaukauna, is a middle-aged grandfather of two. Sean Duffy, an Ashland County district attorney, is in his late 30s.

“Age to me, I don’t even think about it,” said Kapanke, who hopes to challenge Rep. Ron Kind (D-La Crosse) for a seat in the U.S. House.

“I get more energy as I’m out here campaigning,” he said.

Ribble plans to challenge Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Appleton); Duffy hopes to run against Rep. David Obey (D-Wausau). The three candidates have raised more than $100,000 so far for their campaigns.

Tom Erickson, a spokesman for the NRCC, said the committee put out the list as a way to recognize candidates that are making strides in their campaigns. The recognition doesn’t come with any funding from the committee but can help candidates generate more interest from GOP donors, he said.

He added that although candidates don’t have to be young to be in the program, they have to be eager to run for office.

“They will be young in terms of their seniority when they go to Congress,” he said.

The program was created by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) along with Reps. Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to recruit and help GOP candidates challenging incumbents and running in open-seat races. Candidates are chosen for the program if they meet certain benchmarks, including fundraising and building support for their campaigns in the community.

Article Link: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/66689747.html.