Parties Announce Top Targets in 2010 House Races

Look out, Joe Wilson. The Democratic Party is gunning for your seat.

But the "You lie!"-shouting South Carolina Republican isn't the only member of Congress with a mark on his back. Two Democratic and Republican campaign groups released their lists Wednesday of the top House seats and incumbents targeted in the November midterm elections.

The parties are looking to prop up a number of new faces in their quest to either retain or seize control of Congress. On the Republican side, the House Conservatives Fund announced endorsements for 10 candidates who will, as part of the deal, receive an extra $5,000 for their campaigns to unseat Democrats.

"This group represents a wake-up call to the liberal Washington establishment," Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said in a statement.

On the Democratic side, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced 13 candidates who qualified for its "Red to Blue" program, which offers financial, media and grassroots support to chosen Democrats. According to the DCCC, the program channeled $26 million to candidates two years ago. Of the 13 candidates, seven are running against incumbents.

"These candidates have come out of the gate strong," DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen said in a statement, adding that the program would give them the "financial and structural edge."

The following is a list of the top incumbent targets from both parties and the people who are challenging them:

Democratic Incumbents 

Connecticut Rep. Chris Murphy (Challenged by state Sen. Sam Caligiuri)

Ohio Rep. Steve Driehaus (Challenged by former Rep. Steve Chabot)

Wisconsin Rep. David Obey (Challenged by "champion lumberjack" and Ashland County District Attorney Sean Duffy)

Maryland Rep. Frank Kratovil (Challenged by state Sen. Andy Harris)

Nevada Rep. Dina Titus (Challenged by businessman Joe Heck)

New Mexico Rep. Harry Teague (Challenged by former Rep. Steve Pearce)

Ohio Rep. John Boccieri (Challenged by businessman Jim Renacci)

Alabama Rep. Bobby Bright (Challenged by Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby)

Idaho Rep. Walt Minnick (Challenged by Iraq war veteran Vaughn Ward)

Republican Incumbents 

California Rep. Dan Lungren (Challenged by doctor Ami Bera)

Ohio Rep. Pat Tiberi (Challenged by Franklin County Commissioner Paula Brooks)

Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent (Challenged by Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan)

Washington Rep. Dave Reichert (Challenged by business consultant Suzan DelBene)

South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson (Challenged by Iraq war veteran Rob Miller)

California Rep. Mary Bono (Challenged by Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet)

Nebraska Rep. Lee Terry (Challenged by state Sen. Tom White)

The two political groups also announced support for candidates running for open seats.

Republican farmer and gospel singer Stephen Fincher is running for the Tennessee House seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. John Tanner.

On the Democratic side, Tennessee state Sen. Roy Herron is also running for the seat being vacated by Tanner, and Pennsylvania state Rep. Bryan Lentz is running for the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak.

Several Democratic candidates are running for seats being left open by Republicans as well.

Former Delaware Lt. Gov. John Carney is running for the seat being left by Rep. Mike Castle. Polk County elections supervisor Lori Edwards is running for the seat being left by Florida Rep. Adam Putnam. Kansas state Rep. Raj Goyle is running for the seat being left by Rep. Todd Tiahrt. And business consultant Dan Seals is running for the seat being left by Illinois Rep. Mark Kirk.