Brendan Doherty wasn’t on the list Friday when the National Republican Congressional Committee announced the dozen Republican U.S. House candidates who’ve reached the highest level of its marquee “Young Guns” recruitment program.

Doherty was one of 11 candidates who advanced to the the third tier of the “Young Guns” program in February, but four of that group, including Doherty, failed to advance to the top level on Friday. Richard Tisei, who’s sparked Republican hopes in Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District, made the cut.

“These candidates have met a series of rigorous goals that will put them in position to win on Election Day,” NRCC Chairman Congressman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said in a statement that described the 12 top-tier “Young Guns” as “leading the pack” among Republican hopefuls.

Sessions visited Rhode Island in March to attend a Doherty fundraiser at the Hope Club in Providence, and Doherty was one of 15 Republican challengers the NRCC brought to Washington later that month for a two-day candidate workshop, NRCC spokesman Nat Sillin told WPRI.com.

Doherty could still crack the top tier of “Young Guns” later in the election cycle, spokesman Robert Coupe said.

“We are grateful for the support we have received already and are in the process of meeting certain requirements for further consideration, including providing progress reports and setting goals for the campaign,” Coupe told WPRI.com. “We hope to be considered for further advancement within the program and to receive additional support.”

Doherty received other support from Washington this week, however, as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched a television ad campaign on his behalf. The organization isn’t disclosing how much it spent in Rhode Island.