Dallas lawyer Grier Raggio says he expects to get help from national Democrats for his race against U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions.

Raggio was scheduled to meet with officials from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee last week.

He said they want him to focus on raising money, at least $500,000 to start. They would then match or exceed that number accordingly.

"They said it's a swing district," Raggio said.

Since moving into the 32nd Congressional District, Sessions has been virtually unbeatable. In 2004, he crushed former Rep. Martin Frost, D-Dallas, to seemingly cement his political dominance.

But Raggio hopes the changing demographics of the district and his ties to it will help turn the tide.

Sessions has a March primary challenge against David Smith.

Cedar Hill council member Wade Emmert wants the Republican nomination for Dallas County judge.

But he hears former Dallas council member Mitchell Rasansky's footsteps.

Rasansky recently announced he was considering running as a Republican for the seat now held by Democrat Jim Foster.

In a news release, Emmert said he was "looking forward" to a primary race.

"I have built from the ground up a strong and diverse coalition of support across the county," he wrote. "This support stands firmly by my side."

But analysts say Rasansky, with his familiar name and northwest Dallas organization, would be the candidate to beat in a GOP primary.

The Mid-Cities Democrats of Tarrant County are having a birthday bash Friday at the Sheetmetal Workers Union Hall in Euless. Guests for the party include Senate candidate John Sharp and attorney general hopeful Barbara Ann Radnofsky.

The Coppell Republican Club has an event Wednesday at the Hilton Garden in Lewisville featuring state Sen. Florence Shapiro.

Gromer Jeffers Jr.