Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On the heels of a major ethics investigation into interim Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder, dozens endorse his leading challenger.
Austin, TX — Longtime political professional Monique Alcala announced her first round of endorsements today in the race for chair of the Texas Democratic Party. Alcala’s endorsements include state legislators, local elected officials, and Democratic Party leaders, donors, and activists from every corner of the state who are clear in their demand for urgent change in leadership at the Texas Democratic Party.
“When I first ran for office, I challenged the political establishment because I knew my community deserved more,” said El Paso State Representative Mary Gonzalez. “I’m supporting Monique for TDP Chair because like me, she’s not afraid to take on entrenched interests. Under Monique’s leadership, the Texas Democratic Party will deliver more for our communities, our families, and our movement.”
“I was elected in 2018 — an historic year fueled by backlash against Donald Trump,” said Hays County StateRepresentative Erin Zwiener. “We can take that same energy in 2026 and beat Ken Paxton, get rid of Greg Abbott, and elect a Democratic majority to the Texas House. But in order to win we need a professional state party that is a trusted partner. That’s why I’m supporting Monique,” Zwiener concluded.
“As a millennial, an immigrant, and a Latina, I haven’t always felt at home in the Texas Democratic Party,” said local organizer Abigail Morales of Beaumont. “I’m proud to support Monique Alcala because Texas deserves leadership that knows how to organize, fight, and bring people in.”
“As a candidate for the Texas State Senate, I want the Texas Democratic Party to have my back,” said Ron Angeletti, Democratic nominee for Texas Senate District 4. “I’m supporting Monique Alcala for TDP Chair because I trust her to build a Party that works for every Texas Democrat.”
“I’m honored to have the support of so many leaders of our party from every corner of Texas,” said Alcala. “Texas Democrats can win in 2026, and I’m running to restore trust in our party, to build a culture of winning, and to lift up the elected officials, candidates, county parties, clubs, and volunteers who are the beating heart of Texas Democrats,” Alcala concluded.
Texas Democrats will select their next state party chair at the party’s upcoming convention in Corpus Christi, from June 25-27. Last week, Alcala challenged Scudder to defend his record at a series of candidate forums. Alcala’s debate challenge comes on the heels of a public demand by dozens of Texas Democratic leaders and former party staff requesting he drop his bid for a full term to lead the Texas Democratic Party, as well as a whistleblower complaint by a former Party staffer alleging financial impropriety, and an investigation in the party’s finances by the Texas Ethics Commission. Scudder responded by announcing that his opponents in the race for State Party Chair will be forbidden from addressing the delegates to the upcoming Party convention.
Alcala’s full list of endorsements as of publication follows:
Erin Zwiener, State Representative - 49
Mary Gonzales, State Representative - 75
Jon Mark Hogg, Tom Green County Chair
Celia Israel, Travis County Tax Assessor, Former State Representative, House District 50
Samantha Resendez- Lopez Democratic Nominee, House District 50
James Graf, Democratic Nominee, Montgomery County Judge
Ron Angeletti, Democratic Nominee, State Senate District 4
Lori Moya, Former Chair Hays County Tejano Democrats
Ruth Torres, Former Democratic Congressional Candidate, TX-05
Julie Oliver, Former Democratic Nominee for TX-25
Lucy Johnson, Former Mayor of the City of Kyle
Jeff Rotkoff, Pro-Democracy Democratic Strategist
Gilberto Ocañas, Democratic Strategist
Daniel Segura-Kelly, Precinct Chair and Secretary of Austin Stonewall
Amber Delaune, Precinct Chair Hardin County
Beverly Hatcher, Precinct Chair Jefferson County
Joseph Ramirez, President Emeritus Tejano Democrats, Corpus Christi
Ava Y. Graves, Ex-Officio Jefferson County, Texas
Chuck Herring, Attorney
Chloe Wilkinson, Co-Founder of Austin Community College Democrats
Abel Carreon, Community Leader
Asia Raso, Precinct Chair and Community Leader
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Community Leader
Jonathan Martinez, Community Leader
Jordan Lange, Community Leader
JP Trevino Rodriguez, Community Leader
Kelly Ann Gonzales, Community Leader
Maxine Rebeles, Community Leader
Robert Graham, Community Leader
Sissy Yado, Community Leader
Cynthia Hinojosa, Democratic Strategist
Denisse Carreon, We The People RGV
David Lee, Democratic Strategist and Community Leader
Marco Sanchez, El Paso Young Democrats
Anthony Rios, Houston Hispanic Democrats president
Abigail Morales, Local organizer, Beaumont
Ana Ramon, Political Consultant
Melissa Jalamo, South Texas activist
Stacy Solis, South Texas activist
Ricardo Villarreal, South Texas Activist
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