Thirty-six Texas Democrats, including a congressional hopeful, a former Texas House member, and ex-party staffers, are calling on Kendall Scudder to step down as chair of the Texas Democratic Party. They cite operational shortcomings and a “hostile work environment” cultivated under his leadership over the past year.
The open letter, which continues to gather support, expresses frustration with the party’s inability to address fundamental strategic questions. “We have seen a Texas Democratic Party that makes bold promises to voters and candidates, yet cannot answer basic questions about strategy,” it states. The signers expressed their urgency for Scudder to resign, emphasizing that “the Texas Democratic Party cannot afford another four years of operational failure.”
The discontent reflects ongoing tensions within the party following significant changes implemented by Scudder, including a shift away from centralizing operations in Austin and a major staff overhaul that unsettled the party last fall. Among the individuals who signed the letter are Rev. Frederick Haynes III, who is poised to succeed U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in Texas’ 30th Congressional District, and former state Rep. Mark Stiles, who served East Texas from 1983 to 1999. Eleven former staffers were identified only by their former positions, with one signing anonymously due to concerns about professional repercussions. Their identities have been confirmed.
The letter’s release comes at a crucial time as Democrats prepare for the upcoming November elections, which present a significant opportunity for gains across the ballot, bolstered by strong turnout in the recent primary election and favorable national political trends.
Scudder did not respond to requests for comment and has not made any public statements regarding the letter. Some party members defended his leadership, highlighting his accessibility and recent achievements, such as expanding the party’s presence statewide and eliminating a $500,000 debt inherited from his predecessor.
<p“The primary speaks for itself,” stated Angel Viator Smith, chair of the TDP’s Finance Committee, noting that Democratic turnout surpassed that of Republicans.
Scudder took over as chair in March 2025 after his predecessor, Gilberto Hinojosa, resigned following significant losses in the 2024 elections. Texas Democrats are scheduled to elect a chair for a four-year term during the party convention in June, with the candidate filing deadline set for April 24. Scudder has yet to announce his candidacy for reelection.
The open letter outlines various concerns regarding Scudder’s leadership, including the party’s failure to maintain an updated voter file essential for campaign outreach and inadequate preparations for voters in two counties who were caught off guard by the loss of countywide voting locations during the primary election last month. Hundreds were turned away from the polls in Dallas and Williamson counties, unaware of the shift to precinct-based voting mandated by local Republican parties months earlier.
The letter criticizes the TDP for not proactively informing voters about the changes, stating, “This is not responsible stewardship of our Party. It is mismanagement with consequences that will be felt well beyond a single election cycle.” It further calls for a leader who can anticipate challenges and effectively execute strategies.
Kardal Coleman, chair of the Dallas County Democratic Party, acknowledged the unpredictability of the precinct voting switch. He emphasized that both county and state party officials had collaborated to help voters locate their polling sites and that the Dallas County Commissioners Court had allocated $1 million for voter education regarding the changes.
While Coleman praised Scudder’s dedication, stating he has never seen a party chair work as tirelessly, he also recognized the importance of addressing the letter’s concerns. “Coordination and election preparedness are foundational. We owe that to our voters,” he remarked after reviewing the letter and its signers.
The letter also pointed out troubling employer practices at the state party, alleging that former staffers experienced racism and a hostile work environment, along with mismanagement of responsibilities and misleading financial reporting.
Viator Smith countered that the concerns raised in the letter wouldn’t necessarily be resolved by changing leadership. “Kendall has been across the entire state, energizing the base,” she asserted. “With the momentum that is being built, the positive reaction to decentralization and the massive primary turnout — I don’t understand why we wouldn’t continue with this leadership.”
