Election Information

The position of State Chair for the Texas Democratic Party will be voted on by the State Democratic Executive Committee on March 29, 2025 using Rank-choice voting. For more information including qualifications to run and about this election and the SDEC , you can visit the link below:

https://www.texasdemocrats.org/tdp-chair-election

​

Candidate Qualifications

• Candidates for State Chair must be registered to vote in the State of Texas and affiliated with the Texas Democratic Party. 

• In accordance with Texas Election Code, Chapter 162, all candidates shall swear/affirm an oath of affiliation. 

• Candidates are not required to be members of the SDEC.

• Candidates are not limited to a specific gender identity. 

• The holders of elective office of the federal, state, or county government are not eligible to be a candidate for State Chair.

​​

Candidates List 

​Kendall Scudder

Website: https://www.kendallscudder.com/

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Background: This candidate is the Vice Chair of Finance for the Texas Democratic Party, is a political activist, and sits on the Dallas Board of Appraisers. 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 is the incumbent for the Dallas Central Appraisal District Board of Directors, Pos. 2, a county-wide elected role he has held since Spring 2024.

 

Patsy Woods Martin

Website: https://www.patsyintexas.com

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

​​​Background: Former Executive Director of Annie's List and is a rancher. After “retiring” from Annie’s List, Patsy launched a PAC in 2020 where she raised and invested almost $700,000 in Democratic State House races.  And in 2022 she served as Finance Chair for the launch and first quarter of the Beto for Governor campaign, leading the team that raised the first $23 Million for that race. Martin is the founder of I Live Here, I Give Here, The Central Texas Campaign for Philanthropy, where she served as Executive Director for six years and continues to serve on the Board of Directors. I Live Here, I Give Here is a collaboration of individual philanthropists, nonprofit organizations, family foundations, local businesses, and religious leaders. The group works to increase philanthropy in Central Texas. In 2012, I Live Here, I Give Here launched the successful 24-hour giving period, Amplify Austin. Since then generous Central Texans have contributed more than $112 Million to more than 700 local nonprofits on Amplify Austin days. In February 2017, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Austin Chapter awarded Martin the Philanthropist of the Year award for her work and leadership within the philanthropic community. In March of 2017, Patsy was inducted into the City of Austin’s Women’s Hall of Fame for “breaking barriers for women and girls through her significant contributions to our city.”Martin and her husband, Jack, moved to North Texas in 2018. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, where she was among the first two women elected to that Board.Martin graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Upon graduation, she headed up an analytical lab at a major Houston oilfield service company, the first woman to ever hold that position.

 

Delia Parker-Mims

Website: https://votedeliaparkermims.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background: This candidate is the county chair for Denton County and an attorney. Delia Parker-Mims is an SMU-trained attorney with a background in economics. She has spent the last 25 years practicing family law in Denton County representing battered women, advocating for mentally ill juveniles, and assisting seniors. Delia has taken the lessons she’s learned from her career and experience as a candidate to effectively lead the Denton County Democrats as Chair and is ready to bring her passion and strategy to the state level. As Chair of the DCDP, Delia instituted the largest and most-targeted voter registration program amongst county Democratic parties in Texas, successfully increasing the number of Democratic votes in the 2022 Midterms and 2024 General Election. Within the first 90 days in office, the Denton County “Fight Back Register 50” initiative touched thousands of likely unregistered Democratic voters, bringing them to the polls. Delia believes we will continue to work in Texas, by becoming “One Team” and focusing on winning elections as Democrats. United with compassion and consistency, Texas Democratts will drive progress and change. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@deliaparker-mimsforprogres6668

 

Aaron Arguijo

Website: https://www.facebook.com/share/164UCy8qbT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background: This candidate is a veteran and business owner. He has previous experience running for the US Senate and has participated in Democratic activism for several years. 

Aaron Arguijo’s Instagram and Twitter.

 

Patricia Olivares

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background: This candidate is a veteran and has worked on several campaigns. Patricia Olivares grew up in Larado and currently lives in Houston. She is a veteran with several years of experience as a political campaign manager. 

Patricia Olivares’ TikTok.

 

Lillie Schechter​​

Website: https://www.lillieforchair.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background: Lillie Schechter has been a Democrat for as long as she has known what one is. She has spent the last two decades successfully winning campaigns, growing organizations, leading diverse coalitions, and training the next generation of progressive leaders. Lillie has worked for years with people from every corner of the Democratic Party: hardworking grassroots volunteers, candidates, electeds, donors, and allied organizations in labor and progressive advocacy. From 2016-2020, she chaired the Harris County Democratic Party, leading the largest county party in the State of Texas to win every county-wide race both cycles and cement a Democratic majority for the first time in decades. Lillie’s work drove the ascent of County Judge Lina Hidalgo, secured the election of nineteen Black women to the judicial bench, and flipped longtime Republican held seats such as TX-07 and HD-135. Harris County also saw an unprecedented spike in volunteer participation, an increase in donors, and a record number of precinct chairs. --https://www.lillieforchair.com/

Lillie Schechter’s Facebook, and Twitter.

​

Meri Gomez

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background: Meri Gomez is an RVG resident, a mom, and a business owner. She previously ran for the Texas State Senate. She has a Master's from  University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Accounting (2022) and Bachelor's, University of Texas–Pan American, Accounting (2011). Her work experience includes  Intuit, Tax Advisor (2020 - Present), Meri's Tax Services, Chief Accountant (2009 - Present), Salinas, Allen and Schmitt LLP, Tax Accountant (2011 - 2011), and Westfield Furniture Inc., General Manager (2001 - 2008).-https://www.ballotready.org/people/meri-gomez

Meri Gomez’s https://www.facebook.com/TrackQueen1

​

Rabbi Misha ben-David

Background: Misha Ben-David is an Austin rabbi who goes by the Twitter moniker “Rock and Roll Rabbi.” 

Misha Ben-David’s Twitter.

 

Rev. Steve Miller

Background: Steve Miller is a pastor and non-profit executive. His organization, the United States Christian Leadership Organization (USCLO), is a human rights organization dedicated to achieving racial equality and reconciliation. Miller also has a history of community activism in Bastrop County. 

Steve Miller’s https://www.instagram.com/rev_stevemiller/?hl=en

 

Darceal Tobey

Background:

 

Sources- Lone star Left and Progressive Caucus