Steve House, one of the Republicans running for the chance to take on Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Crow in Colorado’s 6th Congressional District, moved up a rank in the congressional GOP’s candidate support program.

The National Republican Congressional Committee on Wednesday announced that House was one of 35 candidates named to the “Contender” tier of the organization’s Young Guns program.

The designation helps candidates in competitive districts who meet benchmarks in fundraising, grassroots organizing and political support in the candidates’ districts.

House, a former chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, was inducted into the program’s first level in October.

“These hardworking candidates have proven their ability to run strong, competitive campaign operations,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, in a statement announcing the moves. “We’re going to ensure these contenders are victorious in November by forcing their Democratic opponents to own their party’s radical socialist agenda.”

House reported taking in $298,018 in the most recent fundraising quarter, including $85,000 he loaned his campaign. He had $437,249 on hand at the end of the year.

Crow, who unseated five-term U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman in the last election, raised $438,705 for the quarter and reported $1.4 million in the bank.

Crow is a member of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Frontline Program to defend members in competitive districts.

House said the upgrade recognizes his campaign’s momentum.  

“I am honored that so many Republican, Democrat and unaffiliated voters have joined us,” House said in a statement. “I am now even more confident that we will win in November and put the focus back on the needs of Coloradans – and off Washington insider politics.”

Three other Republicans are running in the battleground Aurora-based district, which includes portions of Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties, but none of them have reported raising much money.

Casper Stockham, a ride-share driver who ran twice in a neighboring congressional district, raised just $8,600 in the last quarter. First-time candidates John Szemler and Ryan Gonzalez haven’t yet reported fundraising totals.