Greetings all. The Democratic Party Chair Of Texas, Kendall Scudder, dropped by for a live update this afternoon. Here is some of what he told us:
Now that the primary is done, we can look towards November and actually focus on winning elections… our full slate, [with] a Democrat in every seat for the first time since ‘72. Right now what it looks like is average everyday people that are stepping up to that call to service to make sure our government is working for the people, who work against a Republican ticket that is just rife with corruption… I think the stars are starting to align for us here in Texas.
We’re putting our coordinated campaign together — the first coordinated campaign that’s been actually coordinated since 1982 — and raising resources to get that accomplished. High-quality candidates, a really bad national sentiment for Republicans, and grassroots that are tired of winning arguments and ready to win elections, and rolling up their sleeves to do the nitty-gritty work. It’s starting to feel really good on the ground here. Only time is going to tell. We’re just keeping our heads down and doing the work.
Candidates in every statewide and state legislative election for the first time since 1972. The first true coordinated campaign since 1982. Democrats winning more votes than Republicans in the March primary for the first time in decades, and with a real chance of winning at least 3 of those 5 House seats Republicans are trying to steal. A charismatic Senate candidate James Talarico facing off against a despicable, corrupt Ken Paxton, who will struggle to bring his party together. Our talented candidate for Governor Gina Hinojosa will be able to reach voters who we’ve struggled to reach in recent elections. An outside shot to flip the State House, long, long in Republican hands……
and let us not forget that James Talarico was a member of those courageous Texas House Dems who began our fight against the rancid Trumpian redistricting effort, and helped us lift us all up off the mat last summer……
It is a year of opportunity for Democrats in Texas, and we have been, and will continue to be there, every day through Election Day.
If you want to jump into Texas consider donating to:
James Talarico through our dedicated ActBlue page
The Texas Democratic Party through our Audacious Expansion Fund or a direct donation to The Texas Democrats
Two true South Texas pick up opportunities in 2 of those 5 newly gerrymandered House seats - Johnny Garcia (TX-35) and Bobby Pulido (TX-15) - through our Second Wave Fund or direct contributions to Garcia and Pulido
Talarico just announced a general election kick off tour. Share with friends in Texas and let’s help him get big crowds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sign up here)
Here is Talarico in a new clip from CBS News responding to the ugly attacks against him that have already begun and doing a great job going after Paxton:
Here is our post from this morning with more ads and videos from Texas:
Read Greg Sargent’s terrific new TNR article on Talarico’s opportunity, and G. Elliott Morris on why he believes the Texas Senate race is a toss up.
Friends, I don’t know what is possible in Texas this year but if there ever was a year to invest and fight this is it.
Enjoy this discussion with one of our party’s best state party chairs and keep working hard all. We have a country to save, and lots of elections to win this November - including in Texas! - Simon
Bio - Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder
Kendall is the son of a mental health professional, paramedic, and corrections officer who taught him values like service to others—their dedication to improving themselves and their community lit a fire inside him, pushing him to work hard every day to leave the world a little better than he found it.
As a teenager, Kendall helped support his family working at his local Dairy Queen, juggling both his job and political activism on behalf of his LGBTQ+ family. Kendall received his degree in Political Science at Sam Houston State University before moving to Dallas to work as an affordable housing professional and then for a real estate analytics company, before opening his own land acquisitions firm.
Kendall has dedicated himself to helping elect Democratic candidates across the state, and improved financial transparency and strategic planning within the Texas Democratic Party in his elected role as Vice Chair for Finance (Finance Chairman). He has also served on the City of Dallas’ Civil Service Board, on the legislative committee of the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, and as co-chair of the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals.
In the height of the pandemic, Kendall also notably filed a criminal complaint with the Dallas County District Attorney’s office against Attorney General Ken Paxton in an effort to protect Dallas County residents’ access to the ballot box amid safety concerns of in-person voting activity.
Kendall also holds a Masters Degree in Political Management from The George Washington University. He and his wife Carly reside in the east Dallas’ Junius Heights Historic District, where he plays pickleball, volunteers with the Funky East Dallas Democrats, and serves as a “Volunteer In Patrol” for the Dallas Police Department. He was the Dallas Central Appraisal District Board Director, Pos. 2, a county-wide elected role he has held from Spring 2024 until his election as Chairman in March 2025.
