Democrats see Hayden Rogers campaign as "emerging race"

National Democrats have added Hayden Rogers, who is running for Congress in District 11, to their list of Democrats in “emerging races.”

The emerging races is a lower tiered list of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program reserved for candidates who have met a series of organization and fundraising goals. Rogers campaign is the only one in North Carolina to earn the ranking.

The Democratic Party is seeking 25 new seats to win back the House of Representatives. The face an uphill battle in North Carolina after redistricting made several seats held by Democrats more Republican.

U.S. Rep. Brad Miller decided to retire after redistricting placed him in the same district as U.S. Rep. David Price. So did Roger's old boss, U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, after lines were redrawn making the Western mountain district more Republican.

Republicans expect to win Shuler and Miller's old seats, and possibly two others.

But after Rogers raised more than $300,000 in the first quarter and more than any other candidate in the race, Democrats are touting him as one of the few Democrats who can pull an upset.

Party spokeswoman Stephanie Formas said the “emerging races” is the first stage of recognition for Democratic candidates that are making their races competitive by running smart campaigns.

“Many of our candidates that continue to meet organizational and fundraising benchmarks are named to our Red to Blue program,” she said.