About YG

The Weekly Standard coins Eric Cantor, Kevin McCarthy, and Paul Ryan the “Young Guns of the House GOP.”

Cantor, McCarthy, and Ryan (R-WI) begin supporting other Young Guns by focusing on electing next generation conservative candidates in open-seat and challenger elections nationwide.

House Republicans lost a net 21 seats during the 2008 cycle. Four Young Guns were elected in challenge races and three in open seat elections: Tom Rooney (FL-16), Bill Cassidy (LA-06), Lynn Jenkins (KS-02) and Pete Olson (TX-22), Erik Paulsen (MN-03), Steve Austria (OH-07), and Aaron Schock (IL-18).

The National Republican Congressional Committee adopted the Young Guns program as the candidate recruitment and training program designed to assist candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives build a foundation for victory.   Those enrolled meet rigorous benchmarks designed to improve their campaign structure, fundraising, communications and online strategy.   There are three levels of the Young Guns program – “On the Radar”, “Contender”, and “Young Gun.”

Cantor, McCarthy and Ryan author and release, “Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders,” published by Simon & Shuster.  Back Cover Description: “Make no mistake: Congressmen Eric Cantor, Paul Ryan, and Kevin McCarthy are proud Republicans. But they believe the party had lost sight of the ideals it believes in, like economic freedom, limited government, the sanctity of life, and putting families first. This isn't your grandfather's Republican party. These Young Guns of the House GOP—Cantor (the leader), Ryan (the thinker), and McCarthy (the strategist)—are ready to take their belief in the principles that have made America great and translate it into solutions that will make the future even better, solutions that will create private sector jobs, maximize individual freedom, and establish a better world for our children. This groundbreaking book is a call to action that sets forth a plan for growth, opportunity, and commitment that will propel this country to prosperity once again. Together, the Young Guns are changing the face of the Republican party and giving us a new road map back to the American dream.”

Ryan, Cantor and McCarthy participate in a series of interviews about Young Guns and getting the country back on track: Hannity, NBC’s Today Show, Morning Joe, Situation Room, CNN’s American Morning

Young Guns: A New Generation of Conservative Leaders makes the New York Times Bestseller List on the paperback non-fiction best-seller list.

Republican win a decisive victory on Election Day, recapturing the Majority in the House of Representatives.  In the 2010 cycle, 92 campaigns were achieved "Young Gun" status, and 62 of those candidates were elected to Congress.

Cantor, Ryan and McCarthy host a Student Town Hall at American University and appear on Greta Van Sustren’s “On the Record,” to discuss the path forward.  

John Murray announced the launch of three organizations that build off the Young Guns movement founded by Cantor, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). The YG Action Fund, a Super Pac, and two nonprofits: a 501(c)(4) called the YG Network that will advance conservative center-right policies and a 501(c)(3) called the YG Policy Center that will commission studies and run educational programs.

YG Action invests in 2010 Young Gun Adam Kinzinger's election, helping ensure the next generation leader returns to Congress.

YG Action invests over $500,000 to ensure that Young Gun Richard Hudson can challenge Democrat Larry Kissell in the 8th District.

The YG Action Fund reserves $4 million in television advertising time to help elect Young Gun style candidates.  The average age of YG Action Fund candidates is 42.5.