Picks by New York Rep. Elise Stefanik’s group could sway like-minded donors to give

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik has made it her mission to increase the number of Republican women in the House by playing in primaries. On Tuesday, she’s unveiling the first 11 candidates who have the full backing of her recently rebranded leadership PAC.

Stefanik will announce her slate of “Rising Star” candidates, obtained first by CQ Roll Call, at the House GOP’s conference meeting Tuesday morning.

The PAC cannot donate more than $10,000 to a candidate, or $5,000 in  the primary and $5,000 in the general election. But Stefanik’s backing could be a signal to others concerned about gender diversity in the party — including fellow House members with their own leadership PACs — that these are candidates worth supporting. The 197-member House Republican Conference is down to 13 women, from 23 during the previous Congress. And two of the 13 have already announced they’re not running for reelection next year.

Each candidate had to meet a set of metrics to earn Stefanik’s backing. They needed to have raised at least $250,000 during the first three months of their candidacies, assembled a campaign team and demonstrated a path to victory.

“I worked with each of these candidates to ensure they are building strong, competitive campaigns, and I’m proud to endorse them today,” Stefanik said in a statement.

Her political action committee, E-PAC, has already contributed $5,000 to each candidate. Here are the 11 endorsed hopefuls, along with the race rating for their contests, according to Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales:

  • Genevieve Collins in Texas’ 32nd District (Leans Democratic)
  • Maria Elvira Salazar in Florida’s 27th District (Solid Democratic)
  • Ashley Hinson in Iowa’s 1st District (Tilts Democratic)
  • Michelle Steel in California’s 48th District (Leans Democratic)
  • Young Kim in California’s 39th District (Likely Democratic)
  • former Rep. Karen Handel in Georgia’s 6th District (Tilts Democratic)
  • Nicole Malliotakis in New York’s 11th District (Toss-up)
  • Chele Farley in New York’s 18th’s District (Solid Democratic)
  • Beth Van Duyne in Texas’ 24th District (Tilts Republican)
  • Nancy Mace in South Carolina’s 1st District (Toss-up)
  • Amanda Makki in Florida’s 13th District (Solid Democratic)