Markey selected for DCCC's 'Red to Blue' program

In a boost to her campaign for the 4th Congressional District seat, former Larimer County Democratic Party chair Betsy Markey (D-Fort Collins) was selected Wednesday morning as one of 13 new candidates in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue Program."

This means Markey's campaign will get help from Democratic strategists, on-the-ground support from the DCCC, and a likely six-figure fundraising boost, said Markey manager Anne Caprara.

"This shows that this is a race that's not just competitive, but it's a race that we can win," Caprara said. Being in the program "credentials us to a large part of the (Democratic) donor community."

The "Red to Blue program" is designed to target vulnerable Republican incumbents by bringing raising money for qualified Democratic challengers. In 2006, the program raised nearly $22.6 million, with an average of $404,000 given to each participating candidate.

If this amount of money was donated to Markey's campaign, it would help to close the funding gap between her and her opponent, incumbent U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R - Fort Morgan). As of March 31, Musgrave had raised $624,000 more than Markey.

In 2004, Musgrave won only 51 percent of the vote, despite President Bush winning 58 percent in her district. In 2006, she won 45 percent, with former state Rep. Angie Paccione (D-Fort Collins) picking up 43 percent and Eric Eidsness (Reform-Fort Collins) earning 11 percent.

A poll released on May 21 by the Markey Campaign showed the challenger leading Musgrave by 43 percent to 36 percent.

The Cook Political Report recently revised its CO-4 rating from "leans Republican" to "toss-up."