U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriquez (D-San Antonio) and Republican Lyle Larson are vying to win over their opponents' base in the 23rd Congressional District, the San Antonio Express-News reports.  Rodriquez's "roots" are on the South Side, while Larson, a Bexar County Commissioner, has "handily" won elections in northern Bexar County.

Rodriquez told the paper he's making "inroads" in the northern part of the county and has held a hundred coffees. Meanwhile, a Democratic consultant is concerned about Larson "gaining some traction" on the South Side.

While District 23 runs from San Antonio northwest to El Paso, about two out of three votes come from Bexar County. The Supreme Court said the 2003 "remapping" of the district left out too many Hispanics, so the revised district included southern Bexar County which is "strongly Democratic." 

The redrawn district gave Rodriquez an opportunity to regain a seat in Congress.  Rodriguez had represented the 28th Congressional District for four terms until being ousted by current U.S. Rep. Henry Culler (D-Laredo) in a 2004 primary.

The district is 63 percent Hispanic, but Democrats and Republicans have "roughly equal footing."

Early voting appears higher on the North Side, which could help Larson.

"The funny thing is there's no sense of urgency over here - we're being outvoted by the North Side," JoAnn Ramon, a South Side Democratic operative told the Express-News.

Larson is arguing he's a better fit for the district.

"This district is very conservative, both fiscally and socially," Larson said. "And [Rodriguez] does not represent the views of this district."

His campaign picked up several local endorsements, including former City Council member Billa Burke and Southside Independent School Board President Lisa Salazar.

Burke voted for Rodriguez in 2006 but said the incumbent "is not talking about issues," while Larson is working the South Side.

To win, Larson needs South Side support. In 2006, then-U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-San Antonio) lost Bexar County precincts that were almost entirely Hispanic by a nine-to-one margin, according to the Express-News.

"We'd love to have about 25 percent. If we could get 25 percent support - that's our number," Larson told the paper. "Not working the South Side was not an option."

But Larson may have trouble winning over Hispanics, especially in a year where Republicans are not connecting well with Hispanic voters, according to polls.

"At this point in time, in this congressional district, it is easier for a Latino to appeal to an Anglo voter than it is for an Anglo to appeal to a Latino voter," Larry Hufford of St. Mary's University told the Express-News. "It's going to be very difficult for Larson. This is not a year to make [GOP] gains."