Republicans rule Texas, but progressive Democrats eye congressional races here to push the national party leftward

When former Austin City Council Member Greg Casar stood before a crowd of cheering supporters Tuesday night, he portrayed his ascent from Workers Defense Project policy director to Democratic nominee for Congress as a sign that Republicans' stronghold on Texas masks a burgeoning progressive movement.

"You can win and lose elections, but you don't stop a movement," Casar said after declaring his win for the party's nomination for the 35th Congressional District. "Tonight, we won, but it wasn't about me. This election was about us. This election was about the power of the people. This election was about the power of our movement."

Because the district, which stretches from Austin to San Antonio, is made up of mostly Democratic voters, Casar is expected to easily win in November's general election. That means the 32-year-old son of Mexican immigrants will almost certainly be one of the youngest and most progressive people Texans have ever sent to Congress.

Several of Texas' Democratic representatives in Congress are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, such as U.S. Reps. Veronica Escobar of El Paso, Sylvia Garcia of Houston, Lloyd Doggett of Austin and Sheila Jackson Lee of Houston. But they tend to fall in line with the party when it counts.