HOUSTON -- The excitement about Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech Thursday spilled over from Denver to Houston, KPRC Local 2 reported.

"It's awesome. I can't wait to vote for him," said Stephanie Caballero, who will be voting for the first time in November.

Obama is the first black nominee for president of the United States.

It means a lot to voter Warren Curtis.

"I'm at a loss of words," Curtis said. "I had tears in my eyes."

The ballroom inside the Renaissance Hotel in southwest Houston was full of Democrats -- young, old and nearly every ethnicity. They came to watch the man they hope can bring home the election for their party.

There were even some former Clinton supporters.

"When Hillary didn't win and Barack did win, we support him because he's got to carry the American dream through for us," Louise Birnberg said.

Some speculated that Obama might not live up to all of the hype surrounding the speech.

"This is not hype. This is who he is. This is what he's bringing. It's not hype," Obama supporter Felicity Pereyra said.

The event co-chair said the event showed how exciting it is to be a Democrat in Houston.

"We haven't has this experience in decades and the mood is for change," said Phillip McNutt.

The event raised more than $6,000 for Harris County Democratic candidates.