Texas Democratic Party Announces New Executive Director, Terri Burke
Former Texas ACLU Leader and Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist to Galvanize Party Leadership
Austin, TX – Texas Democratic Party Chairman Kendall Scudder is proud to announce the appointment of Terri Burke as the new Executive Director of the Texas Democratic Party (TDP).
Burke brings nearly two decades of experience leading and transforming nonprofit and advocacy organizations, including more than 12 years as Executive Director of the ACLU of Texas. Her proven track record of translating grassroots advocacy into tangible results makes her an ideal fit to help lead the party's strategic vision and operational excellence.
"Throughout my career, I've worked to shape sensible policies in Texas government," said newly appointed TDP Executive Director Terri Burke. "Now, I'm excited to finally be officially part of the fight for the basic rights Texans deserve: fair wages, affordable healthcare, and public safety. Chairman Scudder's vision for a reimagined TDP —one that truly organizes, mobilizes, and wins all year round—is exactly the kind of bold leadership our state needs. I'm ready to partner with him and his team to roll up our sleeves and help voters and elected officials alike turn this state blue."
Before her advocacy work, Burke worked as a political reporter and senior editor at respected newspapers, including the Hartford Courant, Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman, and Albuquerque Tribune. As editor of the Abilene Reporter-News, she spent seven years building a newsroom of inclusivity and set an agenda for the city and the region to position it as a leader in exurban Texas.
"We're not just rebuilding—we're reimagining," TDP Chairman, Kendall Scudder, noted. "The work ahead demands creativity, courage, and a refusal to accept that Texas's future is written in red ink. Terri Burke's leadership marks the start of that bold chapter. Her unique combination of policy expertise, communications mastery, and organizing acumen is exactly what we need as we chart the path toward a Democratic future built on inclusion, innovation, and relentless action."
ABOUT TERRI BURKE
Terri Burke brings nearly two decades of nonprofit and advocacy leadership, including nearly 13 years as Executive Director of the ACLU of Texas. Throughout her career, she has excelled at bringing together community organizations, government leaders, and volunteers to drive meaningful policy change at the local and state levels.
Before her advocacy work, Burke spent years as a political reporter and senior editor at respected newspapers, including the Hartford Courant, Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman, and Albuquerque Tribune. She led two newspaper staffs to win Pulitzer Prizes. During this time, she also served as an adjunct professor of journalism at the University of Texas–Austin and a lecturer at the American Press Institute.
Burke has served on the boards of Planned Parenthood West Texas, the Texas Democracy Foundation (publisher of the Texas Observer), and other nonprofit organizations. A native Houstonian, Burke and her husband, Michael, are new residents of Dallas.
ABOUT THE TEXAS DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Founded in 1846, Texas Democrats continue the march towards rebuilding a state that acts upon its beliefs - fair wages, affordable housing, universal childcare, a right to accessible healthcare, a healthy environment, and safe communities. A fair shot for all - that’s what drove Democrats to build this great state, and that is what drives us today. A belief that no matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, or who you love, if you work hard in Texas, you can make it. Texas Democrats have never shied away from big, bold ideas. From Lyndon B. Johnson to Henry B. Gonzalez to Barbara Jordan to Ann Richards and today’s Democratic champions, Texas Democrats will fight to uphold the landmark programs, policies, and institutions that make Texas work for all Texans. For more information, go to: https://www.texasdemocrats.org/splash
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