As polls show Texans increasingly frustrated with President Donald Trump’s response amid a massive resurgence in coronavirus cases, Democrats say they have a real chance to turn a long-held dream into reality: winning the state’s presidential contest for the first time in more than four decades.

In recent weeks, Joe Biden’s campaign has aired television ads specifically aimed at Texans – the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has done so in a quarter-century, according to the state party – and made its first hires there.

Texas is among the states targeted by a $280 million fall advertising blitz the campaign unveiled last week, part of a broader strategy aimed at putting Republican-leaning states, including Georgia, Iowa and Ohio, in play ahead of the Nov. 3 election against the Republican Trump.

With polls showing Biden holding a national lead over Trump and effectively tied in Texas, Democrats say a concerted effort in the state could expand his viable paths to the White House.

“Because of the pandemic, the battleground has grown,” said Democratic U.S. Representative Filemon Vela, who represents a south Texas seat.

But skepticism remains about conservative Texas becoming a true swing state. Trump carried it by nine percentage points four years ago, and some strategists expect his standing to rebound as the election draws closer.

Trump campaign spokeswoman Samantha Cotten said Democrats were “delusional” for thinking they can win Texas.

“We welcome the Biden campaign to light their money on fire by investing in the Lone Star State,” she said in a statement.