The National Republican Congressional Committee elevated 33 more GOP congressional candidates to its “Young Guns” program today, but Idaho GOP challenger Raul Labrador wasn’t on the list. The Hill newspaper reported today that 14 candidates made the “Contender” level, and 19 were named to the “On the Radar” list. In February, Idaho 1st District congressional candidate Vaughn Ward was named to the top tier of the program, “Young Gun” status; Labrador then defeated him in Idaho’s May GOP primary/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Seems like Republican Raul Labrador is having a bad week on the election campaign front, with stories of incumbent Walt Minnick rolling up a huge lead in money race and follow-up stories by nonpartisans re: the district leaning Democrat. Why is Labrador having trouble getting traction? Or does it matter in midsummer?