WASHINGTON — The National Republican Congressional Committee has named nine candidates to its initial list of House hopefuls eligible for extra resources in this year’s midterm elections.

The MAGA Majority program is a rebranding of the party’s longstanding Young Guns effort. It will provide top-tier challengers in Democratic-held or open districts with early support and visibility.

As they defend their razor-thin majority this year, House Republicans face a challenging political environment as well as historic trends that suggest the party that holds the White House typically loses seats in the midterms. But NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson, R-N.C., said a strong slate of candidates and a focus on “the Trump agenda” will bolster the party’s chances in November.

“House Republicans are on offense, and the MAGA Majority is the next wave of leaders who will help us expand our majority in 2026,’’ Hudson said in a statement announcing the rebranded program. “From veterans and job creators to proven conservative fighters and local leaders, these candidates are stepping up to secure the border, lower costs, and deliver on President Trump’s America First agenda.”

Democrats, meanwhile, dismissed Republicans’ rosy take on their midterm prospects, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee accusing the NRCC and Speaker Mike Johnson of continuing “to project phony optimism about their chances of winning in November.”

The nine Republican candidates on the NRCC’s initial MAGA Majority list are:

—Jay Feely, a former NFL kicker seeking Arizona’s open 1st District.

—Former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln, who’s challenging Democrat Adam Gray in California’s redrawn 13th District.

—Former Iowa state Rep. Joe Mitchell, who is running for the state’s open 2nd District.

—Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage, who’s seeking the state’s open 2nd District.

—Retired Army Col. Laurie Buckhout, who is running against Rep. Don Davis in North Carolina’s 1st District.

—Former New York state Assemblyman Mike LiPetri, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi in the 3rd District.

—New York state Sen. Peter Oberacker, who is running against Democratic Rep. Josh Riley in the 19th District.

—Tano Tijerina, the top executive of Webb County, Texas, who’s challenging Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar in the state’s 28th District.

—Army veteran Eric Flores, who’s taking on Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in Texas’ 34th District.

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