Insight - How Obama alums aim to turn Texas toward the Democrats

Texas state Senator Wendy Davis speaks to supporters in Haltom City, Texas October 3, 2013. REUTERS/Darrell Byers

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - In one of the country's most conservative states, newly hopeful Democrats measure their progress by ringing a bell.

For those working to turn Texas from Republican red to Democratic blue, it's the sound of one more volunteer agreeing to join their ranks. On a recent Saturday, phone-bank volunteers in a modest office here smacked the bell every five minutes or so, adding to the nearly 12,000 who have joined the effort.