Just two weeks ago, we showed the Netroots Nation why Texas is important and how we are working tirelessly to Turn Texas Blue. Over 3000 people attended and saw first hand the passion surrounding Texas. Over 10,000 people kept a watchful eye on Austin as we heard from Wes Clark, Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi, Al Gore, and others, that Texas is not a lost cause.  Texas is ready to be a Democratic state again.

Now we need our friends from Washington state to Washington D.C. help Take Back Texas.  We are 5 seats away from taking back the Texas House.  We are 5 seats away from taking back the Texas Senate.  There are 5 seats on the Legislative Redistricting Board in Texas, and we need some Democrats on that committee.  Regardless of your zip code or precinct, you can be a part of something special.  You can Turn Texas Blue.

With less than a 100 days until the November 4 election, we are asking people across the state and country to help show the world that Texas is purple, that Texas truly is in play.  Barack Obama is sending a dozen organizers to mobilize hundreds of thousands of volunteers to prove the point while John McCain isn't sending a soul.

We are asking every Democrat, Independent, and disillusioned and fed-up Republican to be a part of the 100 Day Challenge. It's time for everyone to take some small actions that will add up to big results on November 4.

Cross posted at www.BurntOrangeReport.comand www.StopCornyn.com

Not often you watch a Saturday, off-cycle runoff with anticipation.  This past weekend, Texas bloggers watched intently as the Houston City Council At-Large results came in.

Houston Mayor Bill White has been long rumored to be eyeing a statewide race in 2010, and growing the Democratic base and brand in his own backyard is an important part of preparing for such a run.

Clearly Melissa Noriega, State Rep. and decorated war hero Rick Noriega's wife, was interested in her own race against Republican Roy Morales.  Would she be able to win a race so few thought she should run in? A loss surely ended any speculation that her husband could run for statewide office, while a victory would fuel the speculation.

As Saturday's numbers rolled in (slowly but surely) Noriega won handily.  She beat Morales by over 11 points and now all eyes turned toward the future. Harris County is home to 1,782,013 voters spread throughout 875 precincts. Texas only has 12,357,887 registered voters in 254 counties or 8,306 precincts.  What happens in Houston is a gage of 14% of the Texas electorate.

During the last presidential election an impressive 1,067,968 people voted in Harris County -- 55% turnout of registered voters at the time.

Not only does extending our bench to 8 out of 14 city council members in Houston matter, but Melissa Noriega winning a citywide election in such a crucial state will possibly influence both the primary and general election for another Noriega.

The news gets better in Houston. Houston City Council is now at 8 to 6 majority for Democrats, but if you include influential and ambitious Mayor Bill White and Controller Annise Parker, that means Democrats hold 10 of 16 regionally and citywide elected officials.

Now that we are done with the city elections, we are staring directly at 2008, and Houston has changed the picture.