AUSTIN, Texas – National Democrats are ramping up efforts to turn Texas blue next year.

  • DCCC opening Texas HQ
  • Looking to flip Congressional seats
  • Protecting 2 House seats

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is opening a state headquarters in Austin. Chairwoman Cheri Bustos said they are capitalizing on the political energy in Texas through boots-on-the-ground efforts.

The group says three of six Congressional seats they are looking to flip are in the Austin area. Earlier this year, the DCCC said it intended to target the six Republican incumbents in 2020, who all won by fewer than five points last year.

DCC targeting six GOP incumbents:

  • Rep. John Carter: Texas 31st Congressional District, Central Texas
  • Rep. Will Hurd: Texas 23rd Congressional District, Southwestern region
  • Rep. Michael McCaul: Texas 10th Congressional District, Austin and Houston
  • Rep. Chip Roy: Texas 21st Congressional District, San Antoino and Austin
  • Rep. Pete Olson: Texas 22nd Congressional District, Houston-area
  • Rep. Kenny Marchant: Texas 24th Congressional District, Forth Worth and Dallas

The committee is also working to protect two House seats Democrats gained during the midterms.

The leaders of the DCCC Texas HQ will be Democratic political experts, Texan Roger Garza, and Texan Michael Beckendorf.

Currently, the DCCC’s March Forward program placed field organizers in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin suburbs.

A blue wave was noted in Texas after presidential candidate and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke nearly unseated Sen. Ted Cruz. Despite losing the Senate race, O’Rourke shattered national fundraising records without accepting any money from political action committees.

“When it comes to places where House Democrats can go on offense, it doesn’t get any bigger than Texas,” said Bustos in a press release. “In 2018, Texas Democrats proved that they can win in competitive districts. That’s why we are continuing our investments in the Lone Star State by opening a new DCCC:Texas Headquarters. Led by senior political strategists and Texas natives Michael Beckendorf and Roger Garza, we look forward to continuing our work with grassroots partners on the ground to earn the votes we’ll need to flip more GOP-held seats in Texas from Red to Blue.”