AUSTIN — Starved Texas Democrats, who are zero for 101 in statewide elections since 1994, are salivating at the prospect of Wendy Davis leading the charge for down-ballot candidates and pumping new energy into a depleted party.

Yet as Davis prepares to announce whether she'll run for governor Oct. 3, many progressive candidates and activists aren't holding their breath for a statewide victory in 2014.

Some believe the popular Fort Worth state senator, who became the face of a women's rights movement this summer, holds the key to turning tides in red Texas, particularly with a statewide office shuffle imminent after Gov. Rick Perry leaves office.

Others maintain the steep challenge to win a statewide seat for the first time in 20 years can't be conquered by one person but rather a group of top-notch candidates, an army of volunteers and some catastrophic gaffes by heavily-favored Republicans.

“I hope that Democrats get up and get to work on this,” said Steve Mostyn, a Houston attorney and major Democratic donor. “It doesn't just take a charismatic candidate such as Wendy Davis. It's going to take a lot of work from a lot of people, and if we will understand that, then we have a shot (to win a statewide seat), but that is yet to be seen.”

Fourteen statewide positions, including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller and U.S. senator, along with agriculture, land and railroad commissioners and six judicial seats, are up for grabs in next November's election. However, only one Democrat, Mike Collier, a Houston businessman running for comptroller, has thrown his hat in the ring.

On the other side, Republicans are stepping on each others' toes to get their campaigns moving.

Many potential or former statewide Democratic candidates have declined a 2014 run, which some critics equate to a lack of confidence in the party.

Former Houston mayor and gubernatorial candidate Bill White took a pass and said he is “enjoying being in business.” Former state Rep. Steve Wolens, D-Dallas, who has more than $1 million in his campaign account, said he plans to run statewide, but not in 2014.

State Rep. Mike Villarreal of San Antonio said last week the “timing is not right for me.”

Austin attorney Keith Hampton, who ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat for the presiding seat on the Court of Criminal Appeals in 2012, said the party's infrastructure, or “ground game,” is not yet strong enough to support a statewide candidate. He pointed to a lack of organization at the local level, particularly in nonurban areas.

Battleground Texas, a grass-roots organization created by Obama campaigners aimed at turning Texas into a competitive state, has said change in a state as politically lopsided as Texas is a marathon and that they don't necessarily expect an immediate swing.

Every state other than Texas has elected at least one Democrat statewide since 1994. The last presidential candidate to carry this state was Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Jason Stanford, a Democratic consultant and columnist, said Davis is one of the most exciting candidates his party has had in years but stressed the need for “a team” of strong candidates.

“Regular people, who have to be reminded to vote, care about Wendy Davis,” Stanford said. “She is not only a base turnout operation all on her own, but she has the ability to get crossover voters. She is exactly the kind of candidate you want to build a team around.”

The members of that statewide blue team still aren't apparent.

Potential candidates, many who represent San Antonio in the Legislature, have been hesitant to officially get on board — especially until Davis finalizes her decision on Oct. 3.

State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, has created buzz among Democrats recently by confirming rumors she is considering a run for lieutenant governor. Van de Putte, like other potential statewide Democratic candidates, has emphasized she won't decide until Davis does.

Van de Putte inflated the rumor Tuesday by jabbing incumbent Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst for comments made Monday at a Houston debate in which he said none of the Democratic committee chairmen leads “critical” committees.

Van de Putte, who has chaired the Veterans Affairs and Military Installations committee since 2003, tweeted: “With all due respect, Mr. Dewhurst, if you don't think our work on behalf of TX vets is important, please step aside so we can continue it.”

State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, told Express-News columnist Gilbert Garcia this month that he is seriously considering a run for attorney general.

“Politics is about timing,” Uresti said. “And I certainly think it's the right time for the Democratic Party and for myself, as well.”

State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, said he is planning to file for re-election but, on the other hand, is “listening and entertaining” the idea of a statewide run.

“I have expressed some hesitancy to look at a statewide campaign for me in 2014, but politics is when timing and opportunity collide,” Fischer said. “And I also recognize that you cannot want change if you're not willing to be the agent of that change.”

Other candidates being courted by Democrats to make the leap are state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, who has more than a million dollars in his campaign account, state Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, and state Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin. The three officials did not return calls for comment.

Political scientists agree a gubernatorial run by Davis would boost other Democrats.

David Crockett, a political science professor at Trinity University, said a run by Davis would revitalize a dreary voting base, convince deep-pocketed Texas donors to keep some of their money in the state and increase voter turnout — which is traditionally lower in nonpresidential election years. But that doesn't guarantee a statewide victory, he said.

“Wendy Davis would not be able to help no-name Democrats for lieutenant governor, comptroller and attorney general, but if you had recognizable names with their own accomplishments, you could get a cumulative, positive effect,” said Cal Jillson, political science professor at Southern Methodist University.

Jillson said it's more likely Democrats will pick up a healthy number of state House seats than a statewide post in 2014, but “that's where you start.”

“When you're zero for 100, you start looking for singles rather than home runs,” Jillson said.

A Davis run could draw a significant number of straight-ticket Democratic voters, which would provide a much needed boost for down-ballot candidates in both statewide and local races.

Jeff Blaylock, a former lobbyist researching voter trends, said 28 percent of all votes cast in Texas were straight-ticket Democrat in 2012, while 34 percent were straight Republican. He said the number of straight-ticket votes has steadily climbed over the past decade, and he expects that trend to continue in 2014.

Stanford said he expects to have a top-notch team of Democratic candidates on the ticket in 2014, led by Davis.

“But if Wendy doesn't run, I'm not sure there is enough whiskey in Austin,” Stanford said.

kparker@express-news.net

Twitter: @KoltenParker