For Dems, Target TX?

VA Gov. Tim Kaine, also DNC chair, announced today that the party's fall meeting will be held in Austin, TX.

In an e-mail to supporters, Kaine suggests that the Lone Star State is primed to trend as blue as VA.

Read on after the jump.

Dear Friend:

It's time to announce the location of the DNC Fall Meeting, scheduled for September 10th - 12th, 2009. I'm excited to be the first to tell you that this year's meeting will be in Austin, Texas. In a phrase, we are Lone Star State bound!

Of course, as you know, not only is Texas a great, beautiful and diverse state, it represents a tremendous growth opportunity for the Democratic Party. Now, some might find that notion odd given Texas's traditionally conservative bent and its recent history of supporting Republican candidates for elective office. But I don't find it odd at all -- and in fact, I am more convinced than ever that Texas is trending our way and will continue to do so.

It wasn't that long ago -- less than 10 years, in fact -- that Virginia was considered just as strong a lock for the Republicans as Texas has been. In Virginia, we had Republican Governors, Republican U.S. Senators and a strong Republican majority in our Congressional delegation and state legislature. And we didn't merit any attention from Presidential candidates during general elections because no Democratic candidate since Lyndon Johnson had won Virginia's electoral votes.

Today? I'm the second consecutive Democrat to serve as Governor of Virginia, we took back the State Senate and have reached near parity in the House of Delegates. Both of our U.S. Senators are Democrats, and Democrats are the majority of our U.S. House delegation. And of course, in November, Barack Obama became the first Democratic Presidential candidate since 1964 to carry the Old Dominion.

In so many ways, I believe Texas is poised to move towards our column, just as Virginia has. Texas is an increasingly diverse state with a burgeoning and politically active Hispanic population that went strongly for Barack Obama in 2008. And, as a result of investments made by my predecessor, the commitments we've made, and the hard work of the Texas Democratic Party -- which has done an outstanding job rebuilding the party, attracting good candidates, and expanding our reach -- we have a strong and growing Democratic Party infrastructure. Add to that the significant investments we plan to make in Texas through Organizing for America (OFA), and the work OFA will be doing in communities across the state in support of the President's important and popular agenda, and we have every reason to feel bullish about our chances in Texas. Exciting things are possible because we believe every single state on the map is important.

Of course, it's also a very exciting time for us to meet because of what Democrats have accomplished electorally in the past year and because of what the President -- with our support -- has accomplished during his first few, short months in office.

President Obama was elected on a mandate for change. Because of his victory last November and Democrats' relentless work to make the change he promised during the campaign a reality, women will finally receive equal pay for equal work, four million additional children have access to health care through the State Children's Health Insurance Program, and a historic economic recovery package is putting Americans back to work. And of course, by the time we meet the Senate should have confirmed the President's historic choice, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, for the Supreme Court.

I look forward to seeing you in Austin on September 10th at this historic time for our party and the DNC. Austin is a world-renowned destination -- a truly wonderful city -- and I know we'll all have a great time. Information about making a reservation can be found below, and if you have any questions whatsoever please don't hesitate to contact Secretary Alice Germond at 202-863-7183 or germonda@dnc.org, or the Secretary's Office at 202-479-5140.

Hope to see you there,

Governor Tim Kaine
Chairman

P.S. -- We'll be at the Renaissance Hotel in Austin. The special DNC room rate is $159 -- but our room block closes on August 25th, 2009. Reserve your room now or call 800-468-3571 or 512-343-2626, and be sure to tell the front desk that you are with the Democratic National Committee.