State Senator Wendy Davis (D-Texas), has thrown her hat in the race for Governor of Texas and has begun her campaign tour in preparation for the 2014 elections. Upon visiting Houston, one of her stops brought her to Texas Southern University, where she spoke to a overflowing auditorium of Wendy fans in the Barbara Jordan- Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs.

Davis increasing popularity stems from her poignant stand for women’s rights in June 2013 which she filibustered for close to 12 hours in order to block passage of a bill that would deny women the right to have abortions. Her unabashed protest garnered the respect of colleagues and people around nation. Wendy Davis became a household name and now she is ready to become the governor of Texas.

“I can’t wait to see a woman and a democrat as governor of this state. If Texas goes blue that’s it for the country. We can do it. We have the people and if we get the corruption out and get the young people registered to vote we can do this,” said Nan Toole, a Davis supporter. “She has created so much excitement I’m just thrilled. I think Wendy is awesome, she has great integrity and intelligence, I think she’s a great leader and such a contrast to what we have now.”

Many supporters that populated the room were there to see Davis, but many came in order to get tips on how to become a deputy registrar for the next election cycle. The Davis campaign is aware that it will be a fight to win an election in a republican red Texas. Constituents like Toole, have been on the move in respects to registering voters as she alone signed up over 2,000 voters since the last presidential election in 2012. Toole is excited to get going again for Wendy Davis and so are so many others.

State Senator Davis’s affinity for equal pay for equal work, ending workplace discrimination and women’s health is giving her a leg to stand on and numerous kudos that’s building momentum for the upcoming election cycle. Her colleagues, State Representatives Harold Dutton and Ron Reynolds joined her at TSU showing a support system from within the State Senate.

As she slid behind the podium to speak the auditorium erupted in applause. Davis beamed a wide smile as she started her speech reflecting the same amount of excitement as the crowd before her.

“I’m so excited about this race,” said Davis. “With your help I can be the 48th governor of Texas.”

Her speech was more than the average vote for me rhetoric. Davis reminded the crowd about the importance of giving and having a voice. She urged voter registrars to remember that their work is powerful and they help others get their voices heard.

“Use your voice in a very important way especially in the election cycle,” said Davis.

Davis told her story and the journey she took from being a single mom living in poverty and facing the challenges of how to care for a young daughter as a single parent.

The opportunity to care for her (Davis daughter) came from being able to get an education at a community college and my community opened that door for me,” said the State Senator. “It landed me at Harvard Law School and ultimately put me right here in front of you and able to serve you in the Texas Senate.”

Her priorities lie with family, education and jobs. She touched her supporters by letting them know that she would make family important, education a priority, and that every Texas family will be able to play a role in the economy by making sure they have a good job and take care of their families.

“That will be the most important work for the next 13 months, making sure people embrace the power that they have and they believe that they can play a role in what happens to their future and their families future,” said Davis. “Our people are staying home in our state and I think they are staying home because they don’t think their voices matter. They are accustomed to failed leadership and they have stopped listening to the things that matter to them and we will invite them to believe. I believe 100 percent that we are going to change the face of leadership in Texas.”

Davis encouraged those present to get deputized to register voters. She professed that she will need all of their help to win.

“They are already counting us out and I’ve had people count me out before, but the Senate seat I represent wasn’t drawn out for a democrat and some people may say the state of Texas isn’t ready for a democrat to lead the state but they are wrong,” said Davis.

Supporters present are ready to see the change in leadership and political parties as many talked about the state of Texas turning purple then eventually blue which will drastically change the demographics politically in the Lone Star State.

“As a member of Battleground Texas, I’m very supportive of Wendy Davis and I’m excited,” said Earnest Goodrich, Sr., supporter of Davis. “When she stood up for those 11 hours and filibustered fighting for women she was fighting for everybody. I like the fact she is a person that is willing to take on the republican dinosaur that still in power and she can be the next democratic governor of Texas .She can turn Texas purple and eventually blue, she wants to lead and I’ll follow in that effort.”

Davis said her belief in the promise of Texas is why she is running for Texas. She wants to renew and restore a commitment to the state and that every Texan can have an opportunity regardless of where they come from. Amongst her high hopes, she is aware that there is much work to be done for the fight to become the next governor of Texas.

There have only been two women to be elected as governor of Texas in the past. Miriam A. Ferguson served twice from 1925-1927 and again 1933-1935 and Ann Richards from 1991-1995.