Chris Van Hollen

Cook Political Report has shifted the 3rd Congressional District race from "solid Republican" to "likely Republican," following the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's addition of challenger Bob Lord to its Red to Blue program.

Lord is facing incumbent U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) in a fight for the 3rd District, where Republican registration outstrips Democratic by a significant margin. However, after Lord's strong fundraising totals and Shadegg's decision to leave the race, which he reversed two weeks later, many, including Cook, see a possibility for Lord to pull an upset.

According to Cook, Lord's "strong fundraising and Shadegg's hesitancy to announce reelection plans" got the attention of the DCCC. In May, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) appeared with Lord in Phoenix to show his support for the first-time candidate, and now, with Lord on the Red to Blue list, the challenger has some potentially serious financial backing as well.

Bob Lord and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)PHOENIX - Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen came to Phoenix today to make it clear that his organization considers Bob Lord's bid to unseat Rep. John Shadegg (R-3) a top-tier race. Appearing alongside Lord at a Veterans of Foreign Wars post, Van Hollen played up the issue of veterans' care and lambasted Shadegg for "voting in lockstep with the Bush administration." Meanwhile Lord elaborated on questions of policy and spoke of his beliefs on how to improve the United States.

Addressing a gathering of supporters, Lord spoke of how he has lived the "American dream" and helped others achieve it in his capacity as a tax attorney.

"But this American dream is very much in peril today," said Lord. "We can save it, but there are challenges we must meet; challenges like achieving energy independence, being fiscally responsible, bringing our troops home, making the economy work for all Americans again, and restoring the competitiveness of the educational system.

PolitickerAZ.com has previously reported that Bob Lord, CD3 Democratic candidate, raised eyebrows at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee with his impressive 2007 fouth quarter numbers.

After beating longtime incumbent Rep. John Shadegg in fundraising for the first three months of the year - by $70,000 - Lord has done more than drawn attention from national Dems: He's drawn Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), DCCC Chairman, who will appear at two fundraisers on behalf of Lord on May 29.