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By Alexis Levinson Posted at 5 a.m. today

Blum, right, is a top Democratic target in 2016. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

In one of the partys best pickup opportunities this cycle, Democrats have zeroed in on second-time candidate Monica Vernon to win Iowas 1st District.

Freshman Rep. Rod Blum, a Republican, holds the seat.But the districts composition is competitive, if not left-leaning:In 2012, President Barack Obama won it with 56 percent. That makes it a ripe target forDemocrats, whomust net 30 seats on a GOP-friendly map to win the majority.

Its probably our toughest chance to hold onto something we have, said Iowa Republican consultant Cory Crowley.

The districts attractivenesshas sparked a feeding frenzy on the left. Two Democrats have already announced their candidacies: Vernon and hotel executive Ravi Patel. Several other Democrats are considering it: Gary Kroeger, an alumnus of Saturday Night Live, is mulling a bid; former Gov. Chet Culver is considering moving to the district so he can run; and sources said Iowa Utilities Board member Swati Dandekar might run again as well.

But Democrats interviewed for this story werefocused on Vernon, whom they perceived as anearly front-runner.

In a Feb. 27 phone interview with CQ Roll Call, Vernon said EMILYs List urged her to run, so Im very hopeful to earn their endorsement. And I was urged to run by the DCCC.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committe declined to comment. EMILYs List sent an encouraging tweet when Vernon announced, but did not comment for this article.

The Cedar Rapids city councilwoman placed second in the 2014 primary for the open seat behind state Rep. Pat Murphy, losing by 3,600 votes. Democrats criticized Murphy for taking the left-leaning districtfor granted and failing to build the necessary ground game, and he ultimately lost to Blum.

Read more from the original source:
Democrats Have Early Favorite House Pickup Opportunity