Kendall Scudder
Kendall Scudder | |
|---|---|
Scudder in 2025 | |
| Chair of the Texas Democratic Party | |
| Assumed office March 29, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Gilberto Hinojosa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 23, 1990 New Boston, Texas, U.S.[1] |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Sam Houston State University (BA) George Washington University (MPM) |
Kendall Scudder is an American political activist who serves as the current chair of the Texas Democratic Party. Elected at 35 years old, Scudder is one of the youngest chairs of a state political party in the United States.
Early life
Scudder grew up in Bowie County[2] in rural northeast Texas, graduating from Sulphur Springs High School in 2008.[3] Growing up with two moms, he first became involved in politics in the early 2000s, knocking on doors against a campaign to label LGBTQ+ people as unfit to be parents.[1] He later attended Sam Houston State University[3] in Huntsville, Texas.[4] During his time there, he was involved with political activism and the Texas College Democrats.[5] He graduated with a degree in political science.[3] He later obtained a master's degree in political management from George Washington University.[3]
Career
Scudder's political work began with Texas College Democrats while an undergraduate at Sam Houston State University.
In 2018, Scudder ran for the Texas Senate, losing in the general election to incumbent Bob Hall. In 2022, he ran in the Democratic Primary Election for Texas House District 114, failing to advance to the runoff.[6][7] Scudder served as Vice Chair of Finance for the Texas Democratic Party. In March of 2024, he was elected to the Dallas Central Appraisal District Board of Directors, Pos. 2, a position he held until becoming chairman.[8]
In March 2025, Scudder was elected to the remainder of a four-year term as chair of the Texas Democratic Party at a State Democratic Executive Committee Meeting in Austin,[5] succeeding incumbent Gilberto Hinojosa. He won the race during the first-round of voting, obtaining 65 out of 121 SDEC votes among seven candidates.[5]
Since being elected, Scudder has taken on many initiatives; including a pledge to hire staff for a Spanish-language communications department.[9] Under his leadership, the Texas Democratic Party moved its office headquarters from Austin to Dallas. Many praised this move as expanding the party's presence within Texas by opening new offices around the state.[10] However, many also criticized the move as bringing turmoil to the party, both by moving the party away from the state capitol as well as prompting many staff to leave.[11][12]
References
- ^ a b Ruby, Emma (April 7, 2025). "Meet the Dallasite Elected to Usher in 'A New Day' for Texas Democrats". Dallas Observer. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Lomax V, John (April 11, 2025). "Texas Democrats have opportunity to wrestle working class voters from Trump, new party chair says". www.houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Sulphur Springs Native Takes Gavel as State Democratic Party Chair". www.ksstradio.com. KSST. April 1, 2025. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Moritz, John (April 6, 2025). "Can a 'scrappy underdog' breathe new life into the long-suffering Texas Democratic Party?". www.statesman.com. Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ a b c Guo, Kayla (March 31, 2025). "Texas Democrats select Kendall Scudder as state party chair". www.keranews.org. KERA - NPR for North Texas. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ "Voter Guide 2022 Primary Candidates". dallasnews.com. Dallas Morning News. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ "Kendall Scudder". ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Bova, Gus (September 3, 2025). "It's His Party and He'll..." www.texasobserver.org. Texas Observer. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ Garcia, Berenice (April 15, 2025). ""The Valley matters to us": Texas Democratic Party leader makes first pitch to reclaim South Texas". www.texastribune.org. Texas Tribune. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ Whitely, Jason (October 17, 2025). "Kendall Scudder's gamble: Breaking tradition to rebuild Texas Democrats". www.wfaa.com. WFAA. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Guo, Kayla; Downey, Renzo (September 25, 2025). "Texas Democratic Party's move to Dallas prompts top staff exodus, roils organization ahead of 2026". www.texastribune.org. Texas Tribune. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ Schneider, Andrew (September 22, 2025). "Texas Democratic Party launches expansion plan aimed at ending decades-long statewide losing streak". www.kera.org. Houston Public Media. Retrieved October 29, 2025.