Lord lands Van Hollen

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is living proof that Bob Lord, the Democrat who is challenging Rep. John Shadegg (R-3) for the seat he's long held, has won the respect of the DCCC.

The Lord campaign announced today that Van Hollen will appear at two fundraisers for Lord on May 29, one a $250/ticket breakfast in Phoenix, and another $500/ticket lunch in Paradise Valley.

CD3 had not been considered a top-tier race for Democrats this year, who have their hands full with around 30 vacated Republican congressional seats and a slew of poachable others to focus on - not to mention retaining seats held by freshman Democrats like Reps. Harry Mitchell (D-5) and Gabrielle Giffords (D-8).

As early as two months ago, DCCC insiders were saying privately that, while Lord's fundraising performance had been impressive, they were maintaining a "wait and see" attitude toward the Lord campaign. Shadegg has is a six-term congressman and John McCain ally in a district that trends Republican, and the seat hasn't figured as a frontline battle for the Democrats.

After beating Shadegg in first quarter numbers by $70,000, though, Lord may now seem a stronger contender than perhaps even those in his own party estimated.