While we're enjoying the Democratic convention in Austin this weekend, Rick Noriega is doing his annual two week duty with the National Guard. While he's busy with that, he could use a little help. From an email sent out from the campaign by his wife, Houston City Council Member Melissa Noriega:

This week and the next, my husband Rick Noriega will take leave of his campaign to perform mandatory National Guard Annual Training (AT).

During this time, I will be joined by several prominent Texans in the effort to "Fill Rick's Boots" on the campaign trail.

Each of us has agreed to give several hours of our time to raise funds for Rick's campaign while he is away. I'm honored to fill in for my husband. And I am hoping you will join me and help us "Fill Rick's Boots."

We've set an ambitious $50,000 online fundraising goal for the 2 weeks that he's gone, and there are 2 ways you can help right now:

1) Make a donation -- every dollar counts in a race as competitive and in a state as big as ours. Rick may not be able to make phone calls or hold campaign events, but we can fill in for him while he's on duty so that he has the resources he needs to take on John Cornyn. Click here to contribute towards our $50,000 fundraising goal today!

2) Take just a few minutes to sign up as a Fill Rick's Boots Fundraiser and put up your own online fundraising page for our campaign. Then invite your friends and family to donate on your page. You'll be able to track your fundraising progress online. Not only will you be helping raise the funds we need to take on John Cornyn this fall, but you'll also play a key role in spreading the word about Rick Noriega. Creating your own page is easy -- just click here to get started!