The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) today announced John Lee is on the initial list of 26 candidates for the 2024 Young Guns program.

The Young Gun program mentors and supports candidates in races across the country and works to provide them with the necessary tools to run successful, winning campaigns against their Democratic opponents. The 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.

Lee, the former mayor of North Las Vegas and 2022 candidate for governor, is looking to unseat Democratic incumbent Steven Horsford in Nevada’s fourth congressional district. According to the campaign’s recent FEC filing, Lee has loaned himself $540,000 for his million-dollar campaign and has less than $40,000 on hand. Horsford has raised nearly $4 million to hold his seat and has over $2 million cash on hand. Lee has been endorsed by Governor Joe Lombardo and former president Donald Trump.

Lee is credited for saving North Las Vegas from the brink of bankruptcy and revitalizing the city by attracting new businesses to the area. Lee was a Democrat while serving in the state legislature but switched to the Republican Party in 2021.

In his congressional campaign announcement, Lee said that he “believes it’s time for a change in leadership in Washington…to fix our nation’s economy which has been destroyed by the disastrous policies implemented by President Biden and Steven Horsford.”

In a written statement, Lee told The Globe, “I am deeply grateful to have been named to the NRCC’s young guns list. The hard-working people of Nevada are looking for something better than the failed policies of Steven Horsford, and with the support of the NRCC, my campaign is one step closer to realizing that vision. With the resources and assistance of these Members, we are all the better equipped to defeat Steven Horsford in November and strengthen our Republican Majority in Congress.”

“Extreme House Democrat Steven Horsford has fueled the border, crime and cost of living crises that are wreaking havoc on Nevadans’ safety and security. John Lee is in a prime position to flip Nevada’s 4th District red and help grow our House majority in November,” said NRCC Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar.