Hours before President Donald Trump was expected to take the stage in Dallas, local Democrats took aim at the commander in chief on his handling of the economy, health care and immigration.

They also took a chance to thump their chest as Texas is increasingly considered a battle ground state in the 2020 election.

“Texas Democrats are rising,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. “And they’re registering more voters than ever before. We’re seeing unprecedented energy in the state of Texas. And we’re seeing a completely new electorate.”

The prospect of flipping Texas, a reliably Republican state for decades, has excited Democrats. But there is little doubt that Trump is still the biggest name in politics as thousands of individuals lined up around American Airlines Center — some days in advance.

Jenkins dismissed the crowd, saying the people assembled weren’t from North Texas.

“They aren’t from around here,” he said, adding that he thinks Trump will lose Dallas by an even greater margin than he did in 2016. Trump lost the Democratic stronghold by 26 points.

“Trump is terrified of losing Texas. And he’s terrified of losing this election,” Jenkins said.

He was joined by three state House members that represent local areas: Ramon Romero of Fort Worth, Rhetta Andrews Bowers of Garland and Jessica Gonzalez of Dallas.

Romero, a small business owner, hit Trump on the economy, arguably the president’s strongest argument for re-election.

“These tax policies have failed time and time again,” Romero said. “This economy is just a tax scam that has benefited the wealthy. And it’s not benefited our Texas families — and families know that.”

Bowers said Trump has made Texas’ already dismal health care system worse by signing on to a lawsuit orchestrated by Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton that would do away with protections for individuals with preexisting conditions.

“Texas can do better,” she said. “Texas deserves better.”

Gonzales said she’s lost count of how many times Trump has attempted to close down the Mexico border, calling his promise to build a wall along Texas “a campaign gimmick gone wrong.”

“We won’t let Trump steal our land or our state,” she said.