Former Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis (D) will run for Rep. Chip RoyCharles (Chip) Eugene RoyPelosi must go — the House is in dire need of new leadership GOP lawmakers want answers from Disney on Mulan, China Freedom Caucus member Chip Roy touts bipartisanship in first campaign ad MORE’s (R-Texas) seat in 2020, a staffer for Rep. Filemon Vela Filemon Bartolome VelaHispanic Caucus asks for Department of Labor meeting on COVID in meatpacking plants The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden builds big lead in battleground Florida Texas Democrat proposes COVID-19 victims' compensation fund MORE (D-Texas) told the Austin American-Statesman.

“Wendy spoke to the congressman directly that she plans on running,” Vela’s press secretary Abigail Sheppard told the newspaper.

The district, which has historically gone to Republicans, is a top target for Democrats after candidate Joseph Kopser came within 3 points of flipping the seat in 2018. Kopser has already announced he will not seek the seat in 2020.

ADVERTISEMENT

Davis, who first made national headlines in 2013 for a 13-hour filibuster against anti-abortion legislation, was the state’s Democratic nominee for governor in 2014, losing to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) by about 20 points.

She said on the podcast “The Rabble: TX Politics for the Unruly Mob” in March that she was considering a run, saying, “Joseph Kopser gave a valiant effort [in 2018] — worked so, so hard and came very, very close. Can we do it for 2020?"

"I want to make sure that we have the ability to win it, and I believe we do," she said. "And, I want to believe I'm the right person to help us do that.”

Davis is already attracting high-profile support for the bid, according to The Texas Tribune, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' On The Money: Anxious Democrats push for vote on COVID-19 aid | Pelosi, Mnuchin ready to restart talks | Weekly jobless claims increase | Senate treads close to shutdown deadline Trump signs largely symbolic pre-existing conditions order amid lawsuit MORE (D-Calif.) set to co-host a meeting with Davis and potential supporters along with nine of the 13 Democrats representing Texas.

The invitation does not specifically identify Davis as a candidate or ask for donations, but says the event is “in support of her campaign for Texas CD21,” according to the Tribune.

Other members of Democratic leadership present will include House Majority Whip James Clyburn (S.C.), Assistant Speaker Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries Hakeem Sekou JeffriesDemocratic leaders: Supreme Court fight is about ObamaCare Pelosi: House will stay in session until agreement is reached on coronavirus relief Races heat up for House leadership posts MORE (N.Y.) and Caucus Vice Chairwoman Katherine Clark Katherine Marlea ClarkDemocratic leaders: Supreme Court fight is about ObamaCare Rep. Robin Kelly enters race for Democratic caucus vice chair Clark rolls out endorsements in assistant Speaker race MORE (Mass.), according to the Tribune.