Rocky Reaches 'Contender' Status in his Congressional Race Against Gary Peters, National Republican Campaign Committee Upgrades Raczkowski

Rocky Raczkowski Reaches ‘Contender’ Status
Michigan Republican Takes Critical Second Step in ‘Young Guns’ Program

Washington- The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced today that Republican Andrew ‘Rocky’ Raczkowski (MI-09) has reached ‘Contender’ status as part of its Young Guns program. ‘Contender’ status is the second step in the three-level program, with Raczkowski now facing a new set of benchmarks to reach ‘Young Gun’ status in his bid to unseat Democrat lapdog Gary Peters. Since being elected in 2008, Peters has eagerly rubber-stamped his party’s reckless agenda that includes a trillion-dollar stimulus, a job-killing cap-and-trade bill and a disastrous healthcare takeover.

Founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Paul Ryan (R-WI), the Young Guns program is a member-driven organization dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide. By achieving ‘Contender’ status, Raczkowski has already proven his ability to build a successful campaign structure and achieve vital fundraising goals.

“Rocky Raczkowski has already proven that he will be a formidable candidate by meeting the Young Guns program’s rigorous goals and is well on his way to building a winning campaign that will put this seat in the Republican column,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Rocky is part of a strong pool of candidates who are frustrated with the Democrat majority’s agenda of more spending and less jobs and aren’t willing to stand by any longer. His campaign has put Gary Peters on notice that Americans are ready to turn the page on the failed experiment known as the Obama-Pelosi agenda.”

With business, military, and community involvement serving as the cornerstones for his campaign, Andrew Raczkowski has the experience and enthusiasm needed to help carry his constituents’ interests to Washington. Elected in 1996 to the Michigan House of Representatives, Raczkowski soon climbed the ranks and in 1998, became the youngest Majority Floor Leader in the nation. Prior to his public service, he volunteered in the U.S. Army Reserves and has completed several military tours with his most recent one ending just over a year ago in September 2009. Raczkowski also has extensive business experience, as he is the former Chairman and CEO of Star Tickets, a Michigan corporation that employs many Michigan residents, and also serves with the Chamber of Commerce, Optimists, Jaycees, ALS of Michigan and many other civic and charitable organizations.

While already having achieved certain benchmarks to place him on the road to victory, Raczkowski now faces a new set of rigorous goals that will elevate him to the top level of the Young Guns program and help him build a competitive, effective and winning campaign.