David Young, Republican candidate for Iowa’s Third Congressional District, and Ashley Hinson Republican candidate for Iowa’s First Congressional District were named as “Contenders” by the National Republican Congressional Committee as a part of their Young Gun Program.

According to the NRCC website, The Young Guns program requires candidates to work towards specific goals and meet benchmarks throughout the election cycle to ensure their campaigns remain competitive, well-funded, and communicative within their districts. Contender candidates have completed stringent program metrics and are on the path to developing a mature and competitive campaign operation.

“I am honored to be recognized by the NRCC with their ‘Contender’ status,” Young said. “But more so, I’m honored to have the grassroots, activists, and donor community support here in Iowa who have donated their valuable time, energy, and hard-earned money to put us in a position to win.” 

Hinson posted the news on social media, saying, “I’m thrilled by the campaign we have built and are running in the First District, and we’re just getting started. Republicans in Iowa and across the country know how important it is to take back this seat, and they know that I can do it.”

David Young was elected to serve the Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 and reelected in 2016. Before his service in Congress, Young served as U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley’s Chief of Staff.

Ashley is a former award-winning Journalist and an Iowa native. She is currently a member of the Iowa House Representatives. Ashley is the first woman to represent Iowa’s 67th district, which covers Hiawatha, Robins, Cedar Rapids, and Marion. Iowa Field Report noted previously that Young and Hinson were named “On the Radar” candidates, the first level of the program back in the fall of 2019.