Texas Democratic Party Announces New Leadership Staff Hires

Hires include key staff in Digital, Communications, Finance, and Voter Protection

AUSTIN, Texas -- Today, the Texas Democratic Party is proud to announce several new hires for key leadership positions across the Party, including:

• Koby Ahmed, Finance Director

• Drew Corbitt, Digital Director

• Vanessa Arslanian, Deputy Voter Protection Director

• Ike Hajinazarian, Deputy Communications Director

“We’re incredibly proud to announce this slate of diverse, experienced professionals coming onboard the Texas Democratic Party,” said Jamarr Brown, Co-Executive Director of the Texas Democratic Party. “Under Chairman Hinojosa’s leadership, the Texas Democratic Party is building a strong, qualified team, making our state party one of the most respected state parties in the country. Coming from several presidential campaigns, nonprofit organizations, and the White House, these new staff members are among the most talented political experts in the country – and we couldn’t feel luckier that they chose to bring their skills to the TDP. Our team looks like Texas, and with these leaders now on the frontlines of the battle, the fight just became that much more difficult for Texas Republicans this November.”

Biographies on each of the new hires can be found below:

Koby Ahmed is the Finance Director at the Texas Democratic Party. Previously he fundraised for Governor Steve Bullock (MT), Senator Raphael Warnock (GA), and Senator Michael Bennet (CO). He has also worked on several presidential campaigns including for then-candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senator Cory Booker. A native Texan, Koby is an alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin.

Drew Corbitt is the Digital Director at the Texas Democratic Party. Prior to joining the TDP, Drew was the Digital Organizing Director for End Citizens United//Let America Vote, fighting to advance voting rights at the federal level. A lifelong Texan, Drew worked for years in digital media production and app development before working to organize volunteers in presidential campaigns, Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 Senate campaign, and in the community.

Vanessa Arslanian is the Deputy Voter Protection Director at the Texas Democratic Party. Prior to joining the TDP, Vanessa practiced law for several years at Hemenway & Barnes LLP in Boston. There, she served as a Deputy General Counsel to the Presidential Inaugural Committee for President Biden and Vice President Harris, litigated a wide range of government-facing cases, and counseled candidates and political advocacy organizations on campaign finance and election law.  At the outset of her legal career, she was an investigations lawyer at a large firm in Boston. Originally from Long Island, New York, Vanessa is a graduate of Wellesley College and Boston College Law School.

Ike Hajinazarian is the Deputy Communications Director at the Texas Democratic Party. Prior to joining the TDP, Ike was a Senior Media Relations Specialist at Ketchum PR. An experienced political communications professional, Ike worked as a press aide for years on Capitol Hill before working on then-candidate Joe Biden's successful 2020 presidential campaign and, later, as an appointee in President Biden's White House. Ike is a graduate of Indiana University (Bachelor's) and The George Washington University (Master's).