Rep. Tim Walz's Republican competition in southern Minnesota, Randy Demmer, has moved one step closer to attaining the National Republican Congressional Committee's "Young Gun" status.

The GOP equivalent of the DCCC's "Red-to-Blue" Program (which added Tarryl Clark earlier this year), becoming a "Young Gun" will net Demmer the support of national Republicans this fall -- likely in the form of communications and fundraising help.

Last month Demmer rose to "On the Radar." Now he has reached the more exclusive "Contender" list.

NRCC spokesman Tom Erickson said a formal announcement will be made tomorrow.

Demmer's campaign announced last week they they were beefing up their staff, including the addition of Minnesota Republican stalwart Vin Weber as campaign manager chairman.