TEXAS — Kendall Scudder was elected chair of the Texas Democratic Party on Saturday.

“I am honored to serve as Chair of the Texas Democratic Party,” said Scudder said in a statement. “The future of this party is bright, the stakes are high, and there’s no better moment than right now to get Texas Democrats back in the business of winning tough races.”

Scudder won the election outright, securing 65 of 121 votes.

Following last year’s election, Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa stepped down.

Hinojosa’s tenure as chair of the Texas Democratic Party spanned nearly 13 years.

The Texas Democratic party said in a statement, “The Texas Democratic Party extends its deep gratitude to former Chair Gilberto Hinojosa for his years of dedicated service, and his work laying the foundation for a stronger Democratic movement in Texas.”