"Step Up Texas" Starts Up | by Ben
From a comment over at Burnt Orange Report, I found the website for Step Up Texas, a new group focused on recruiting and running Democratic candidates in every race on the ballot in 2006. They've got a nice web-based system that lists all of the state-wide races, with a framework in place for listing all of the county races. It provides a mechanism for activists to endorse existing candidates and for them to nominate new people, especially for races where no Democrat is listed yet. Each candidate has a discussion attached to their entry.
I think they can improve some things, but I like where they're heading. In the state house and senate races, showing the current incumbent for a district would be a useful; I can remember that I'm represented by Mark Strama much easier than remembering that I'm in State House District 50. Some maps would also be useful, helping to visualize our convoluted districts.
As we learned at DemFest, too many Republicans get reelected without significant opposition. I think this effort is really important, both to force the 'R's to actually fight for their seats and as a way of rebuilding the Texas Democratic Party.