WASHINGTON -- Democrats plan to announce today that the national party will increase its support for Juanita Perez Williams in her bid for Congress, despite objections from local party officials and activists in Central New York.

Local Democratic leaders want party leaders in Washington to back their designated candidate, Dana Balter of Syracuse.

But the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said it plans to add Perez Williams to its elite "Red to Blue" program, reserved for its top-tier candidates across the nation.

Until today, the DCCC had 33 candidates on the list. The program supports House candidates running in Republican-held districts by offering fundraising and organizational support that's not available on the local level.

Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., the DCCC chairman, said Perez Williams was selected for the "Red to Blue" program because she quickly demonstrated an ability to put together a winning campaign with a strong fundraising operation.

"As a veteran and prosecutor, Latina and mom -- with deep roots in the Syracuse region -- Juanita has spent her life fighting for working people," Lujan said in a statement. "Building on her local grassroots support and energy, it's clear that Juanita will run a competitive campaign based on creating jobs, investing in infrastructure and providing access to affordable healthcare..."

The DCCC designation is a coup for Perez Williams, who entered the race only two weeks ago in a last-minute attempt to make it onto the ballot and force a Democratic primary on June 26.

Perez Williams said the DCCC supplied a small number of paid canvassers to help her gather signatures from Democratic voters in the 24th Congressional District that are required to make it onto the primary ballot.

New York state election rules require 1,250 signatures. Perez Williams submitted more than 3,200 signatures. The state will likely rule in May whether the petitions are valid.

The chairmen of the four Democratic county committees in the district have accused the DCCC of meddling in the local process for designating candidates for public office.

Ian Phillips, chair of the Cayuga County Democratic Committee, said local party leaders want to avoid a primary and keep the party's focus and resources on defeating Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus, in the November election.

DCCC officials said their addition of Perez Williams to the "Red to Blue" program is not an outright endorsement in the primary election, but serves as recognition of her campaign's early accomplishments.

In addition to fundraising and organizational help, the DCCC said those in the program receive strategic guidance, candidate training, and other campaign resources reserved for top-tier candidates.

Balter has countered Perez Williams' entry into the campaign by announcing her own high-profile endorsement this week from Zephyr Teachout, an anti-corruption Democrat who has emerged as a leader of the party's progressive wing.

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