CORPUS CHRISTI — Kendall Scudder has been officially elected as the chair of the Texas Democratic Party, a pivotal role as the party gears up for the upcoming midterm elections. This decision was made during the party’s convention held in Corpus Christi, where Scudder was chosen over former staffers Monique Alcala and Marco Orrantia in a decisive vote.
The election concluded a contentious race focused on the party’s organizational structure and its ability to create sufficient infrastructure to leverage political momentum in this election cycle, aiming for long-term Democratic successes.
With President Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings and the current political climate, Texas Democrats view the November elections as a significant opportunity to win a statewide office for the first time since 1994, as well as to flip several down-ballot seats.
“Over the past two days, we have proven something important: We are one party with one purpose,” Scudder remarked during the convention’s closing. “As we depart from Corpus Christi, we carry a unified message and a commitment to the people of Texas: Texans require genuine leadership that will enhance public education, reduce living costs, expand access to affordable healthcare, protect individual freedoms, and create opportunities for every family.”
There were concerns that a divisive leadership contest could detract from the Democrats’ crucial task of mobilizing supporters ahead of the elections. Now, the party aims to rally its base and unify activists to support the party’s candidates across the board.
Delegates also approved a new party platform, which adopted a strong populist tone addressing issues of affordability and corruption, aligning with the Democratic campaign strategy across Texas.
The platform emphasizes affordability, addressing concerns around grocery, housing, and transportation costs, while advocating for lower property taxes and utility bills, alongside tax increases for the wealthiest. It also calls for reducing the influence of money in politics, targeting corporate price gouging and “junk fees,” establishing universal healthcare and pre-kindergarten, raising the federal tipped minimum wage, enhancing access to rural healthcare, and improving benefits and services for veterans.
“For the first time in recent memory, we have a comprehensive and thoughtful platform,” stated Jen Ramos, a member of the party’s governing board. “The Texas Democratic Party has been deliberate in considering how policies affect everyday Texans, unlike Republicans, who seem focused on sensationalism.”
Additionally, delegates passed a series of resolutions, including one that Scudder supported, urging Texas House Democrats to withhold their backing from Republican Speaker Dustin Burrows in the upcoming legislative session.
Scudder was initially elected as TDP chair in March 2025 by the party’s governing board, succeeding long-serving chair Gilberto Hinojosa, who resigned following disappointing election results in 2024.
Since taking office, Scudder has closely aligned the party with the Texas Majority PAC, one of the state’s most financially robust Democratic political groups. This collaboration has allowed the party to field candidates for every federal and statewide race on the ballot for the first time in recent history, complemented by a $30 million coordinated campaign aimed at supporting down-ballot Democrats.
Scudder has prioritized rebranding the Democratic Party as the champion of working-class Texans and has worked to broaden the party’s outreach across the state to harness grassroots support. He has also been recognized for resolving a $500,000 debt that he inherited upon becoming chair.
“When I took on the role of chairman just over a year ago, I committed to fundamentally changing the operations of this party; to establish a presence in all 254 counties and to ensure that no part of Texas is overlooked,” Scudder declared in a campaign video.
However, his leadership faced criticism from opponents who highlighted operational issues within the party during his tenure as focal points in the race for chair.
Alcala, who served as the party’s executive director during the 2024 election cycle until Scudder’s election, presented herself as an experienced political strategist capable of delivering the necessary fundraising, organization, and vision for the role. She finished second in the chair race.
She strongly criticized Scudder for the party’s financial management, strategic direction, and treatment of staff amid a decentralization effort that led to staff turnover and allegations of union-busting, although she received support from Democrats outside the major urban areas. Alcala also pledged to conduct an independent audit of the party’s finances if elected.
“I’m proud that our race highlighted the ethical shortcomings of the Texas Democratic Party under Kendall Scudder’s leadership,” Alcala stated after the election results were announced. “I respect the outcome. I will continue to fight against Republicans.”
Ultimately, Scudder secured a significant victory, propelled by strong backing from grassroots activists and a shared desire among Democrats to maintain focus on the upcoming midterms.
“If we concentrate on the people we represent rather than our internal differences, there is nothing we cannot achieve together,” Scudder concluded before the convention adjourned. “So, let’s leave this convention motivated, ready to organize. Prepare to go door-to-door, make calls, register voters, and inform our neighbors that a brighter future awaits Texas.”
In related news, the TribFest lineup has grown, featuring new speakers such as Kevin Stitt, Sherrilyn Ifill, Mitch Little, Imani Perry, Ron Nirenberg, Carla Espinoza-Grcic, Karl Rove, Elisa Villanueva Beard, Avi Loeb, and Joanna Lydgate. The Texas Tribune Festival is set to take place from September 24–26 in downtown Austin.
