Fresh off her re-election rally for John McCain in Arizona and Tea Party soirée in Searchlight, Sarah Palin is endorsing a trio of Iraq War veterans running for the House. The three Republican candidates are looking to unseat one- or two-term Democrats in competitive districts, and each has been touted by the National Republican Congressional Committee as part of its “Young Guns” program.
Vaughn Ward is challenging Walt Minnick in Idaho’s 1st; the race currently looks like a tossup despite the district’s heavy Republican leanings — McCain cracked 60 percent there in 2008, as did Bush in 2000 and 2004.
Allen West is taking his second run at Ron Klein in Florida’s 22nd and, while Palin’s backing might help him begin to close the gap with the Democrat’s formidable fundraising, it will be an uphill climb. Klein bested West 55-45 in their 2008 matchup.
Adam Kinzinger is hoping to unseat Debbie Halvorson in Illinois’ 11th. She’s taking some heat after the contentious health care vote, and is legitimately vulnerable in the swing district.
All three candidates could use the boost in dollars and attention, and Palin is expected to make appearances in their districts later this year. As in Searchlight, she’s relishing the martial language: “I believe that these great veterans will fight for us in D.C. to uphold and defend our constitution as courageously in the halls of Congress as they did on the field of battle.”