AUSTIN (February 26, 2013)--Former aides to President Barack Obama are launching an effort to make Democrats competitive in Republican-voting Texas.

The push, called "Battleground Texas," kicked off Tuesday, spearheaded by top organizers behind Mr. Obama's re-election campaign in 2012, when Republican nominee Mitt Romney easily carried Texas and its coveted 34 votes in the electoral college.

Democratic organizers say shifting demographics make Texas ripe for the taking, but they're not predicting when that might happen.

Gov. Rick Perry isn't buying that Texas will cease to be a Republican stronghold.

He told the Wall Street Journal last weekend that the University of Texas would adopt the rival maroon-and-white colors of Texas A&M before the state ever goes blue.

Democrats haven't won statewide office in Texas since 1994.