AUSTIN — One of Houston’s most moderate and popular Republicans in the Texas House is the top target for Democrats who are trying to seize the majority in that chamber.

That’s because Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, is running for re-election in the state’s most Democratic-leaning district represented by a Republican.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Davis, one of the few elected Texas Republicans who supports abortion rights, won her last bid for re-election by a narrow margin.

A member of the House since 2010, Davis has also foiled past plans of conservative Republicans to unseat her. In 2018, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott spent more than $200,000 running campaign ads against her in the GOP primary. Davis won 56 percent of the vote.

“House District 134 is a very independent district, and they want a representative who is independent, constructive and solves problems. That’s why they have re-elected me time and again,” said Davis, an attorney. “This district votes for people, not parties, and I will continue to be their voice for responsible and solutions-oriented public policy.”

A Democratic Party memo released to the press Monday calls Davis’ district the top priority as Democrats seek more influence in the House for the redrawing of political maps after the 2020 census.

Said Andrew Reagan, executive director of the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee: “Democrats head into 2020 well-positioned to flip the Texas House. Our strong and diverse field of candidates offer a compelling vision for the future of Texas.”

Democrats also prioritized defeating Davis in the general election in 2018. Although voters statewide elected Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz over Democrat Beto O’Rourke by a narrow margin, people in her district overwhelmingly favored O’Rourke 60-39. Davis won re-election with 53 percent of the vote.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston gets hotter in 2020 with up to 11 competitive Texas House races

The district includes the Texas Medical Center, West University Place, Bellaire, Southside Place and stretches north past Memorial Park.

Davis faces no primary election opposition but will face off against the winner in a three-way Democratic primary between educator Lanny Bose and attorneys Ann Johnson and Ruby Powers.

Democrats are targeting each legislative district O’Rourke won in 2018 as well as those that Republican House members won by fewer than 10 percentage points. That includes seven districts in the Houston area.