April 22, 2010

Washington- The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has officially announced John Koster (WA-02) as an 'On the Radar' candidate, an important first step in its Young Guns program. 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.

Koster is running in Washington's Second Congressional District, a seat that is currently held by Democrat incumbent Rick Larsen, an out-of-touch career politician who is more concerned with toeing his party line than serving the constituents he was elected to represent.

The Young Guns program is designed to assist Republican candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in accomplishing goals and benchmarks throughout the election cycle focused on the fundamentals of a winning campaign. By reaching 'On the Radar' status, Larsen has proven his ability to build a successful campaign structure and achieve important fundraising goals.

"The NRCC is committed to working with John Koster as he continues to meet the rigorous goals of the Young Guns program," said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions. "John's record as an accomplished, independent leader who will fight to create jobs and rein in government spending puts him in a position to succeed in this election. I am confident that Republicans will wage a strong fight against Rick Larsen, a loyal Democrat who has repeatedly put his partisan agenda before a healthy economy."

John Koster was elected to the Snohomish County Council in 2001 and served as its chairman in 2004. Prior to that, he was elected to three terms in the Washington State House of Representatives. Born and raised in Arlington, Washington, John owned and operated a dairy farm in North Snohomish County for 23 years. He is a graduate of Arlington High School and Everett Community College, and is ready to make sure that the Second District is once again represented by someone who knows who to run a business, create jobs, and get the local economy back on track.

Having achieved certain benchmarks to place him on the road to victory, Koster now faces a new set of rigorous goals that will help him advance to the next level of the Young Guns program and help him build a competitive, effective and winning campaign.

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