Democratic gubernatorial Chris Bell announced support for efforts to promote stem cell research. He wants the state of Texas to be a leader in the study.

"Stem cell research needs to be one of the main battles of a revolution to stop putting politics before doing the right thing and it would be a revolution to stop talking about banning stem cell research and start funding it. And when I'm governor, I will support embryonic stem cell research,” Bell said.

Politics have thwarted efforts to develop a cure for paralysis, Bell said.

A Texas doctor developed the treatment that allowed paralyzed rats to walk again.

However, cuts in state funding forced him to move his research lab to Colorado.

A grassroots organization called "Step Now" is dedicated to stem cell research.

“For too long people in wheelchairs have been told to just accept the fact that this is where we're stuck, but I believe with stem cells, we can be out of these chair in a matter of years," Ben Weatherman of Step Now said.

Making Texas the nation's leader in stem cell research is a central theme of Bell's campaign.

Independent Kinky Friedman's campaign also supports increased funding for stem cell research as does Independent Carole Keeton Strayhorn. Gov. Rick Perry opposes using tax dollars for embryonic stem cell research in the past, but has said he supports research on adult stem cells.