Texas Democratic Chair Claims Abbott and Paxton Are Deceitful Amid Party Revamp

Kendall Scudder, who became chair of the Texas Democratic Party in early 2025, inherited a financially strained organization and a looming mid-decade redistricting battle. He reorganized the party’s operations, spreading staff across four major Texas cities, a change that led to some resignations but was praised by party delegates who re-elected him in June. Under his leadership the party cleared its debts and now boasts a $30 million coordinated campaign budget, alongside the recruitment of more than 1,000 precinct chairs.

Scudder warned that Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton are “full of sh--,” accusing them of deception, particularly regarding data-center policies that influence rural voters. He argued that without a competitive Texas by 2032, the state could jeopardize a Democratic presidential victory. The chair also referenced past Democratic primary battles and the importance of mobilizing Hispanic voters to flip the state.