Democrat Eric Massa is getting national support for his bid to replace Republican Representative Randy Kuhl in 2008. (Kuhl's district, the 29th, includes much of southern Monroe County and stretches south to Corning.)

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has put Massa's campaign on its list of priority races. It's supporting Massa in part because of his 2006 campaign against Kuhl, where he built momentum through grassroots and netroots efforts. The other reason: Massa lost by a slim margin last year. The DCCC is targeting seats that Republicans won by less than 10 percent.

Support from the DCCC means additional campaign funding, including access to a wider fundraising network. It also means that candidates like Massa get help with research and strategy.

Kuhl has not said whether he'll seek reelection in 2008, but Massa is campaigning as if he will. He has criticized Kuhl for voting against withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. He's also chided Kuhl for voting against bills that boost alternative-energy development and for opposing expansion of states' health-insurance programs for children.

On Monday, Massa and Maryland Representative Chris Van Hollen, who chairs the DCCC, held a press conference at Monroe County Democratic Committee headquarters to promote Massa's bid. Earlier in the day, Van Hollen stopped in Syracuse to support Dan Maffei's House bid in the 25th District. Incumbent Republican Jim Walsh is another committee target.

Although the DCCC hasn't jumped into the 26th District campaign yet, it also considers Republican incumbent Tom Reynolds vulnerable, says a DCCC spokesperson.