That was the dominant message at last week's convention in Houston, where delegates elected their first Hispanic chairman, Gilberto Hinojosa. He says there are more potential voters among the traditional base of the Democratic party than Republicans. They just are not voting.

Republicans dominate Texas politics and they are fighting hard to hold on to power. But Democrats at the state convention last week said that as Republicans become more conservative, independents will vote Democratic if the party has the right candidates with the right message.

Democrats say their best chances are in urban areas if they can raise sufficient campaign donations.