Jill Derby, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Dean Heller (R-Carson City) in the 2nd Congressional District, has been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Red to Blue" fundraising program.

"The candidates for change being named to the DCCC Red to Blue program are running solid campaigns and are committed to making things easier for middle class families in their districts," said U.S. Rep. and DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen (R-MD). "With less than 100 days to make their case for change to voters in their districts, the Red to Blue program will give these candidates the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November."

Derby is challenging Heller in a rematch of their 2006 race. Heller won that battle by a narrow 13,000 vote margin. The district, which spans the northern part of the Silver State and includes the cities of Reno, Sparks, and Carson City, is seen as heavily conservative. Bush carried the district with 57 percent of the vote in the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns.

Heller is widely seen as the favorite in the contest, with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report handicapping the race as "Likely Republican." As of the end of June, Heller maintained a $600,000 advantage in cash on hand over his opponent.

Derby is one of several congressional challengers joining the committee's program. Also announced as beneficiaries today are Louisiana 7th Congressional District candidate Don Cravins, Ohio 2nd Congressional District candidate Vic Wulsin, Pennsylvania 3rd Congressional District candidate Kathy Dahlkemper, Virginia 5th Congressional District candidate Tom Perriello, and Virginia 10th Congressional District candidate Judy Feder.

The expansion of the Red to Blue program is a function of the DCCC's financial might this cycle. Recently-released second quarter fundraising reports show the committee outraising their Republican counterparts by a nearly seven-to-one margin.

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