Texas Democrats are hoping that in November, a giant blue wave will sweep them into statewide and local offices.

Their hopes are based on the notion that base voters want to avenge Hillary Clinton's stunning loss to Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, and that anti-Trump voters will flood the polls, even some Republicans, and strike a blow for Democrats.

That could happen, maybe, particularly if the energy seen among Democrats lingers until the general election. Trump is indeed unpopular with independent and disgruntled Republicans.

But like the Texas weather, politics can change on a dime, and it's hard to forecast what the climate will be months before a critical election.

That's why it's important that Democrats don't rely on a once-in-a generation phenomenon, but the fundamental blocking and tackling essential to the political game. When Democrats do win races in what are now Republicans districts, or even a statewide race, it will be because they have painstakingly added voters to their base.

While candidates, some of them opportunists, are hoping for a Trump backlash, groups like the Texas Organizing Project are in the field and working.

Brianna Brown, deputy director of the Texas Organizing Project, speaks in support of the Welcoming Communities resolution during a meeting at the Dallas County Commissioners Court in Dallas on Feb. 7, 2017. (Rose Baca / Staff Photographer)

The TOP estimates that Republicans enjoy 850,000 more voters than progressives in Texas. They hope to close that gap by 2022, and catapult like-minded candidates to statewide office and create a coalition of informed voters around key issues. They have targeted six counties to mine for votes, including Dallas County.

"As professionals, we can't rely on a lightning-in-the-bottle plan," said Brianna Brown, deputy director of the Texas Organizing Project. "We have to inspire the electorate and have them engaged in the issue and invested year-round."

Keeping voters engaged, especially in communities of color, is sometimes challenging. Brown and her partners hope to organize around issues like criminal justice reform, health care and immigration to build a foundation of engagement and participation.

They are hitting the ground doing the thankless work of registering voters and talking to them about progressive policies. They promote issues first, then get around to boosting particular candidates.

What about 2018?

Democrats hope to win several statehouse seats now held by Republicans and hold on to Democrat Victoria Neave's seat in House District 107. They also hope to oust incumbent Republican Pete Sessions in the 32nd Congressional District.

Countywide, Democrats want to reclaim the district attorney's seat held by Republican Faith Johnson. She was appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to replace Republican Susan Hawk, who resigned early in her term to focus on her health. In 2014, Hawk beat Democratic incumbent Craig Watkins to become the first Republican to win a contested Dallas County seat since 2004.

Although Democrats have the numbers and foundation to beat Johnson, some of the contests in Republican-leaning districts will be a struggle.

Though Clinton won in Sessions' district, midterm elections typically favor the Republican candidate.

Knowing the challenges, the Democratic Party contenders in the March 6 primary in the 32nd Congressional District have debated the best way to beat Sessions.

Lillian Salerno, a former Department of Agriculture appointee, says that to beat Sessions, the Democratic nominee must appeal to crossover voters. One of her rivals in the race, Dallas lawyer Colin Allred, says the party's voter base must be expanded. Former State Department official Ed Meier contends the Democrat challenging Sessions has to both expand the base and appeal to Republican voters.

All of those options may be difficult to achieve in so little time. In reality, the organizing by prospective candidates and local Democrats should have begun years ago.

Brown said that there is tremendous energy among Democrats fighting in Republican districts, but that the ground may not be fertile — yet.

"In some of those races, it's going to be challenging," she said.

All may not be lost, however. There's always that chance of a blue wave.