Hundreds of women gathered in San Francisco on Friday to celebrate a strategy that would counter efforts by conservative forces in several states and Washington to restrict abortions and funding for contraceptives: electing more women to office in next year's elections.

Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, who became a sensation with her 13-hour filibuster this summer when she took on Gov. Rick Perry and the state's Republican majority over abortion rights, was the main attraction at the Fairmont Hotel, where 250 women packed a fundraiser sponsored by Emily's List, the Democratic pro-choice lobby that backs female candidates.

Davis, who was greeted with a standing ovation, said she was looking "very, very seriously" at a run for Texas governor. Perry is not seeking re-election.

"It's incredibly flattering to be asked," she told the audience, adding that she has received strong support from Democratic women's groups.

Tightening the rules

Speaking like a candidate, Davis said a run for governor could be "a hard journey," adding that she will need "partners on the road" for the next 14 months. "It's a race that is a winnable one," Davis said. "I really think hard things are worth fighting for, and I think we have a real opportunity in the state of Texas."

Friday's event came against the backdrop of lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and in several states pushing to ban abortions earlier - at 20 weeks in Texas under a law that Perry signed last month - and impose requirements that make it more difficult for abortion clinics to operate.

Davis' warm reception in San Francisco, a reliable Democratic ATM in the heart of one of the nation's most-liberal, pro-choice bastions, highlighted the aggressive efforts women's groups are making to raise funds and counter GOP activism.

California has some of the nation's strongest laws protecting abortion rights. But progressive activists here are raising money - and stoking political activism - in hopes of blunting a conservative trend in much of the country over the past five years, when 29 states have enacted restrictions on abortions.

Funding birth control

Those restrictions include waits up to 72 hours and mandatory counseling for women, with nearly a dozen states now requiring ultrasounds before the procedure.

The issue of funding for reproductive health, including birth control, galvanized women across the country during the 2012 election, when women's rights activist Sandra Fluke of Los Angeles received national attention after GOP talk show host Rush Limbaugh called her a "slut" for supporting funding for contraception.

Fluke, who sat next to Davis on Friday, was asked about making a future run for office. She didn't rule it out, saying she would wait for "the right time" to jump into politics.

The women who packed the Fairmont's Venetian Room said they were energized by the possibility of electing more women to the U.S. House and Senate, not only to give a voice to a more diverse group of lawmakers but also to break up the frustrating gridlock on Capitol Hill.

While the reproductive-rights issue has galvanized liberal women voters and candidates, many at Friday's event said they are also interested in immigration reform, gun control, equal pay and education.

A young veteran

Among them was Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, 32, who spoke at Friday's event. She is one of the youngest members of the House of Representatives and one of only two female combat veterans to serve in Congress.

Gabbard, Fluke and Davis said electing more women in Congress is particularly crucial next year because it could help break up the political gridlock in Washington.

"When I think about women, and what women bring to the conversation politically, there's such an incredible power that comes from who we are," said Davis. "We fight like hell for everything we hold dear, and I think that's why we scare our counterparts so much."

Davis' filibuster in Texas - a fight against Republicans that she waged in her trademark pink running shoes - has made her a rising national star and, as the San Francisco event showed, a top fundraising draw.

A legion of fans

Earlier Friday, Davis was the guest star at a San Francisco breakfast fundraiser for Emerge America, which trains and supports women for elective office.

In San Francisco, she attracted a legion of fans to the Emily's List gathering. The organization raised $52 million in 2012 - the most successful election cycle in its history.

The lobbying group is gearing up for the 2014 elections and is looking toward 2016, having begun its Madam President drive.

All three of Friday's speakers, and many elected leaders in a video shown at the event, enthusiastically embraced former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's potential run for the president. Members of the audience also snapped up "Madam President" bumper stickers.