By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
A letter first reported by The Texas Tribune calling on Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder not to seek reelection is drawing pushback from local Democratic leaders in Collin County, who are publicly backing his leadership.
The letter, signed by 36 Democrats—including former party staffers, a congressional candidate, and a former state lawmaker—criticizes Scudder’s leadership over the past year. It cites operational concerns, including issues with voter data, strategy, and polling during the primary, along with allegations of a “hostile work environment.” Some former staff also link the criticism to his decision to move the party’s headquarters from Austin to North Texas.
What might have stayed behind the scenes is now playing out in the open, with party officials, candidates, and activists offering competing views on Scudder’s leadership and the party’s direction.
Collin County Democrats Rally Behind Scudder
Several Collin County Democrats have come forward to back Scudder, pointing to what they describe as progress under his leadership.
Jeremy Sutka, chair of the Collin County Democratic Party, pointed to the party’s financial turnaround after the 2024 election cycle.
“When Kendall took over, the Texas Democratic Party was deep in debt… In just a few months, he did something that seemed impossible: he quietly erased the party’s debt,” Sutka said. “By September 2025, the Texas Democratic Party was officially debt-free.”
Sutka also cited broader changes, including relocating the party’s headquarters to North Texas and expanding organizing efforts statewide.
“He is building an army, not just an office,” Sutka said. “We have the right leader for this moment.”
Support has also come from candidates running in the region.
Evan Hunt, Democratic candidate for Texas’ 3rd Congressional District, said he signed a separate effort backing Scudder and has endorsed him publicly.
“He’s put in the work. He’s shown up in every corner of our state, not just where it’s easy, but where it matters,” Hunt said. “He’s building the kind of coalition that wins elections and actually delivers for people.”
Angie Carraway, Democratic candidate for Texas House District 89, also expressed support.
“Leadership isn’t about making everyone happy. It’s about doing what’s best for the team,” Carraway said. “Not everyone’s going to be on board with that. Kendall has done a lot of work to right the ship. I’m ready to see where he steers it.”
Focus Turns to One Name on the Letter
One name on the letter has drawn particular attention.
“John Mott” appears among the signatories. Texas House records show he previously served as Chief of Staff to Mihaela Plesa.
Plesa, however, is listed among those backing Scudder through a separate support effort.
The letter does not include any title or affiliation next to Mott’s name, leaving it unclear whether he signed in an official capacity or as a private individual.
TX3DNews reached out to both Mott and Plesa’s office for clarification.
“Our office does not comment on internal personnel matters or on individual staff members,” Communications Director Jenifer Barnes said in an email, adding that the representative “remains focused on serving the constituents of House District 70” and supporting Democratic candidates statewide.
Mott said he would need to clear any comment with Plesa’s office and did not provide further response as of publication.
The Texas House directory currently lists the Chief of Staff position in Plesa’s office as open, though it does not indicate when that change occurred.
Conflicting Account Emerges
Mott’s name also came up in a social media post last week.
In that post, Steven Spainhouer said Mott told him he was not a signatory to the final version of the letter and had asked for his name to be removed.
In a separate statement to TX3DNews, Spainhouer described the letter as a sign of division within the party.
“A recent article in the Texas Tribune, allegedly signed by 36 Democrats… showcases a rift in our Party that quite frankly should not exist,” he said.
He criticized opposition to Scudder’s leadership, adding, “The opposition to our current Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder is borne out of hatred for change and progress, and we must be better than this. It’s time we pull together, not against one another.”
The published version of the letter still includes “John Mott,” and the organizers have not publicly addressed any changes to the signatory list.
Scudder Seeks Another Term as Chair
Amid the competing letters and public responses, Kendall Scudder announced he is seeking reelection as party chair.
“With the endorsement of nearly 1,000 grassroots leaders, elected officials, and party leaders across our state, I am proud to have filed for re-election… to continue our work rebuilding the Texas Democratic Party,” Scudder wrote in a social media post.
Scudder pointed to what he described as progress over the past year, including financial stability, expanded organizing efforts, and increased voter turnout, adding that he hopes to continue that work through the next election cycle.
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