Leadership
Leadership of the TDP
The State Officers are elected at the State Convention. These are the officers for June 2008-June 2010:
Boyd Richie, Chairman
Boyd Richie was unanimously elected Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party on April 22, 2006. Boyd is a life-long Democrat and Texas native with an extensive history of service to the party.
Boyd started his career in politics and government at a young age – joining his father and siblings block walking for Democratic U.S Senator from Texas, Ralph Yarborough, who later sponsored him as a U.S. Senate Page. After high school, Boyd attended Midwestern State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1966. He received his JD from Texas Tech Law School as a member of their first graduating class.
In 1976, Boyd beat an incumbent to be elected District Attorney for the 90th Judicial District, which covered three counties. A lawyer in private practice for over 35 years, he’s currently serving his third term as County Attorney for Young County. Boyd has also served as Vice President of the Young County Bar Association and in 2005, was elected a life fellow of the Texas Bar Association.
Prior to being elected Chair, Boyd served two terms on the State Democratic Executive Committee and was Chair of Audit Subcommittee of the Finance Committee. Boyd also volunteered countless hours for Democratic candidates and organizations including Texas Democratic Women and his wife’s, Betty Richie, campaign for the state legislature. Boyd was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Selective Service Local Board, a position he held until his election as Young County Attorney.
During his first speech as Chairman, Boyd’s message to Texas Democrats was “our job is not win arguments, but to win elections” and announced his five point plan to revitalize the Texas Democratic Party and expand field staff and grassroots trainings, build a pro-active communications team and incorporate modern technology into the Party’s fundraising, communications and outreach strategies.
Married to DNC Member Betty Richie for 39 years, Boyd is the proud father of two and grandfather of four. In his spare time, Boyd is an avid sportsman and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Graham, Texas.
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Lenora Sorola-Pohlman, Vice Chair
Lenora was elected Vice Chair of the State Democratic Party at the 2008 State Convention.
Bio coming soon.
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Dennis Speight, Vice Chair of Finance
Dennis Speight was re-elected without opposition to his third term as Vice Chair of Finance at the Democratic Convention in June of 2008. While Finance Director of the Texas Partnership and the Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee, he successfully demonstrated his ability to raise money from not only traditional Democratic donors, but new sources of support as well. Dennis was the longest serving President of the Texas Young Democrats (1999-2002) where he served on the SDEC and gained the experience and skills necessary to fight for all Texas Democrats, creating the first-ever TYD campaign internship program that employed young persons on targeted campaigns.
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Amber Goodwin, Treasurer
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Ruby Jensen, Secretary
For the past 30 years, Ruby Jensen has been involved in many Democratic campaigns. Her expertise is in, but not limited to, phone banking. She has been active in Congressional races, State Senate, and State Representative races throughout these years. She coordinated Harris County phone banks for Governor Ann Richards and President Bill Clinton’s first campaign. Ms. Jensen has been a member of Communications Workers of America for 41 years and was elected vice-president in 1993. She is a delegate and a Trustee of the Harris County AFL-CIO. Ms. Jensen is a vice president of the Harris County Coalition of Labor Union Women as well as serving on the executive board of the national branch. Ms. Jensen is very active in her community and is a proud mother and grandmother.
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Corinne Sabo, Co- Parliamentarian
Corinne Sabo is a property manager and longtime Democratic activist who has worked in numerous state, local and federal campaigns. In that time she has helped coordinate grassroots efforts for Ciro Rodriguez's special election race for Congress in 1997 and organized grassroots efforts for Leticia Van de Putte's special election race for the State Senate in 1999. A member of the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians and the National Association of Parliamentarians, she was appointed State Party Parliamentarian on June 10, 2000 by the State Chair.
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Ed Cogburn, Co- Parliamentarian
Bio coming soon.
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Bruce Elfant, Sergeant at Arms
Bruce Elfant has been a Travis County Constable since 1993 and currently serves as First Vice President of the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas. Bruce also finds time to chair the Community Action Network Community Council and is a member of the Texas Association of Counties Board of Directors. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a BS in Communications, he also received his Associates Degree in criminal justice from Austin Community College.
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