Here are the players:
Allen Blakemore, general consultant; Michael Baselice, polling; Steve Sandler, advertising; Jim McGrath, communications director; Elizabeth Blakemore, fundraising; Kate Doner, Austin fundraising.

So, how many Republicans does it take to make Joe Nixon sound good?

The full release and bios after the jump.

Rep. Joe Nixon Announces SD7 Campaign Team

Tort Reform Leader Fields Experienced Team to Take Proven Record to Voters; Reform Agenda to Center on Taxes, Immigration, Education, Values

HOUSTON - State Rep. Joe Nixon today announced the formation of a State Senate campaign team steeped in Texas politics and experience.

"To wage a winning campaign, you have to start with a solid foundation - and I am pleased to have a first-class team of professionals help me carry my proven record of leadership and results to the voters of District 7," said Rep. Nixon. "We intend to wage a positive, issue-oriented campaign; we intend to fight hard but fair; and we will not take any vote for granted."

Members of the Nixon for State Senate campaign include:

Allen Blakemore, of Blakemore & Associates, will serve as the campaign's general consultant. Throughout his career, Blakemore has concentrated on Texas and Harris County - where he has earned an unrivalled reputation for success. Since his firm's inception, his clients have won 197 of 232 contests, an 85 percent success rate. During the 2004 election cycle, Allen directed campaigns for 27 local and statewide candidates; and over the past several elections, his firm has worked for the national, state, and local Republican Party. Last year, Blakemore also expanded the firm's services to include governmental relations consulting and lobbying.

Michael Baselice, of Baselice & Associates, Inc., will conduct polling for the Nixon campaign. Baselice specializes in consulting for Republican candidate races in the State of Texas. In the past ten years, he has conducted polling for a number of GOP officeholders in Texas including Gov. Rick Perry; Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst; Attorney General Greg Abbott; Congressmen Bonilla, Brady, Gohmert, McCaul, Poe and Thornberry; as well as State Senators Deuell, Duncan, Eltife, Estes, and Janek, and County Judge Robert Eckels.

Steve Sandler of Sandler-Innocenzi, Inc., a Washington, D.C. and
Houston-based firm specializing in writing and producing radio and
television advertising for Republican and pro-business candidates, will oversee all electronic advertising. The firm has helped elect governors in eight states and more than 50 members of the U.S. Congress. Sandler's Houston-area clients include State Sen. Kyle Janek, County Judge Robert Eckels, and District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal.

Jim McGrath, president of CEO Communications, will serve as communications director. McGrath is former President George Bush's post-White House media advisor and speechwriter, and he also served as Texas Gov. George W. Bush's 1998 re-election spokesman. Since 1997, McGrath has counseled leading corporate executives, as well as numerous civic and political leaders, offering a broad range of strategic communications services.

Elizabeth Blakemore will oversee all fundraising. Elizabeth has earned a reputation as the top fundraiser in Texas' largest market, Houston. One of Texas' most sought after Republican fundraiser for over 20 years, she ensures that candidates have the financial resources to conduct winning campaigns. Recent clients include statewide leaders such as David Dewhurst, Greg Abbott, and Michael Williams, as well as local leaders like Robert Eckels, Chuck Rosenthal, and Paul Bettencourt.

Kate Doner will manage all Austin fundraising. Already known throughout the state as an Austin fundraising powerhouse, Kate opened her own fundraising firm, Doner Fundraising, in 2003 where she has continued helping to attract top donors to candidates, officeholders, PACs, association and national and state issue campaigns. Her client list reads like the who's who of Texas' best known Republican and conservative causes.

Alison McIntosh of The McIntosh Company will direct the campaign's Dallas fundraising efforts. Since 1992, Alison has earned a reputation as one of Texas' top Republican political fundraisers helping numerous candidates, officeholders, PACs and foundations raise the necessary funds to conduct winning campaigns. Some of her most notable past or present clients include: Texas U.S. Senators Hutchison and Cornyn, Congressman Pete Sessions, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, and Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Jason Smith will manage the campaign, leveraging his local campaign and legislative experience. Smith recently served as the Committee Clerk for the House Committee on Urban Affairs under State Rep. Robert Talton. Prior to that, he managed Rep. Nixon's successful 2005 re-election bid, as well as Houston City Councilman Michael Berry's successful re-election campaign in 2003. He previously served as an aide to Rep. Talton during the 78th Legislative Session.

Rep. Nixon officially declared his candidacy for Texas' Senate District 7 seat last Thursday at the Harris County Appraisal District building, where he laid out a reform agenda that centers on property taxes, immigration, education, and moral values. To read Rep. Nixon's campaign announcement speech or for more information about his 11-year record of accomplishment in Austin, please go to www.joenixon.com