RJC Announces First Round of 2024 House Challenger Endorsements

July 11, 2024

Washington, DC – Republican Jewish Coalition National Chairman Senator Norm Coleman and CEO Matt Brooks released the following statement:

This year, House Republicans have recruited an array of impressive challengers for the most competitive races. RJC enthusiastically endorses Gabe Evans (CO-8), Austin Theriault (ME-2), Yvette Herrell (NM-2), Laurie Buckhout (NC-1), Derek Merrin (OH-9), Kevin Coughlin (OH-13), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-7) and Rob Bresnahan (PA-8) for Congress.

There is a stark distinction between the agendas of House Democrats versus House Republicans when it comes to the concerns of Jewish Americans: 

  • Republicans will continue an aggressive investigation into antisemitism on college campuses. Democrats will shut the investigation down.
  • Republicans will continue to insist on putting additional pressure on the Iranian regime, while Democrats will continue to be tongue-tied over Iran’s role in destabilizing the Middle East through its terrorist proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.
  • And Republicans will stand with Israel in its self-defense efforts - including by banning U.S. aid to Hamas’ abettors UNRWA - while Democrats will continue to undermine the Jewish state and restore UNRWA funding without meaningful accountability.

We know these eight standout candidates for Congress will stand with the Jewish community and with Israel, and RJC is excited to support them:

CO-08: Gabe Evans proved his mettle and devotion to public service by serving with distinction in the military and for more than a decade as a police officer. He represents some of the most competitive terrain in a district where the 2022 race was settled by 1600 votes. Like J Street-backed incumbent Rep. Yadira Caraveo and like 40% of the district’s voters, Evans is Hispanic, making this an especially closely watched race.

ME-2: Austin Theriault achieved renown as a NASCAR driver before winning election to the state legislature. Incumbent Jared Golden knows district native Theriault is the strongest opponent he’s faced yet in a district that is strongly Republican at the presidential level. Golden’s support from J Street will be one of the clearest contrasts in the race - unlike his Democratic opponent, Theriault is strongly opposed to appeasement of Iran and pressuring Israel.

NM-2: Yvette Herrell was a reliable supporter of pro-Israel efforts during her previous service representing this southern New Mexico district. The Democratic incumbent Gabe Vasquez has one of the worst records on supporting Israel of any Democrat in a competitive seat. 

NC-1: Laurie Buckhout served her country in the military, rising in the ranks to become a combat battalion commander in Iraq and attain the rank of Colonel before retiring. A successful businesswoman who built a company from the ground up and later sold it, she will be a big improvement over incumbent Democrat Don Davis, a party-line Democrat who is personally well-liked but avoids rocking the boat.

OH-9: Derek Merrin is taking on a forty-year congressional veteran, Democrat Marcy Kaptur. Kaptur has especially poor relations with pro-Israel supporters, whereas Merrin, a long-time leader in the Ohio House of Representatives, is a rock-solid Israel ally. Because Kaptur is a senior member of the powerful Appropriations committee, Merrin is counting on grassroots Republicans across the nation to help him close the money gap in this race.

OH-13: After a successful and varied career, Kevin Coughlin comes to this race with business and philanthropic experience as well as more than a decade serving as a legislator in the Ohio State House and Senate. He is unambiguously pro-defense and pro-Israel - and he’s eager to challenge Democrat incumbent Emilia Sykes for her mediocre record on matters of concern to Jewish Americans.

PA-7: Ryan Mackenzie is a Lehigh Valley native and an experienced legislator who has served in leadership and top committee roles in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. His sensible conservative approach will be a big improvement over incumbent Susan Wild, who has been an apologist on the House Foreign Affairs Committee for Biden’s foreign policy failures. 

PA-8: Rob Bresnahan is a fifth-generation Northeastern Pennsylvanian, accomplished businessman, college athlete, and community philanthropist. He’s challenging Democrat Matt Cartwright, who voted for the Obama Iran deal and participated in a tour of the Middle East organized by a pro-BDS group that refused to condemn Hamas and the attacks of October 7, 2023.