By Laura Bray
For the “Progressive Views” column, Boerne Star, March 1, 2026
Before I begin and as one of my last acts as Democratic Party Chair, I encourage you to VOTE in the primary election this coming Tuesday (if you haven’t already). Polls will be open on Tuesday from 7am-7pm. Kendall voters can cast their ballot at any one of eleven voting centers. You can find sample ballots on the Kendall County Elections Office (KCEO) website.
This coming Wednesday, I will step down as Chair of the Kendall County Democratic Party (KCDP), after 5+ years in the role. I’m a lifelong writer, so you’ll still hear from me in this space about once a month.
I’m leaving KCDP in very capable hands. Suanne Pyle, who has served as KCDP Treasurer for 3 ½ years, has been elected as KCDP’s new Chair. You’ll hear from her in our next column and periodically thereafter.
I want to celebrate some of KCDP’s accomplishments over the past five years:
- Turned out a record 6,000 Democrats for the November 2024 general election
- Raised a record $52,000 in 2025
- Placed three billboards in various Kendall County locations in 2025/early 2026
- Continuously maintained a year-round office for 5+ years
- Hosted Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin (along with Texas Democratic Party Chair Kendall Scudder) at the KCDP office, with a standing-room-only crowd
- Raised Democratic visibility in Kendall County with participation in protests, Adopt a Highway, community parades, an every-other-week column in the local newspaper, and more
- Fostered and facilitated an active subgroup in Comfort called the Comfort Area Democrats, Independents, and Others
- Facilitated the creation of a local Indivisible group called Cibolo Creek Indivisible and a local chapter of Young Democrats
- Represented Kendall County on the national stage with a delegate (me!) to the 2024 Democratic National Convention (also fulfilling a personal “bucket list” item!)
- Garnered national media coverage for billboards placed along IH-10 for the November 2024 election
- Attracted over 800 participants to the June 2025 “No Kings!” protest in Boerne
I extend my heartfelt thanks to:
- Our stupendous volunteers
- KCDP’s core leadership team (you all know who you are)
- Kendall County Elections Administrator Staci Decker and her team (the best in the state!)
- Kevin Henning (KCDP’s immediate past Chair) for his outstanding mentorship and friendship
- Suanne Pyle, for stepping into the role of Chair
- And most of all, to my husband of forty-three years, Bruce, for his unwavering support and love. What he does makes what I do/did possible.
It has been the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve as Chair (and Deputy Chair for a few years prior). Without a doubt, KCDP is the best group of people I’ve ever worked with in my 40-year professional career.
What am I proudest of? Raising the profile of our local Democratic community. When I moved here in 2017, Democrats had been keeping their heads down and voices silent. After the 2016 presidential election, we all knew that was no longer a viable approach. Under the leadership of me and Kevin, that silence and invisibility no longer exist. KCDP may be small, but we like to say we “punch above our weight.”
I now plan to spend most of my time exploring and nurturing my creativity, working on mixed media collage, photography, and completing a long-delayed novel. I’ll also remain active as a Texas Master Naturalist (and avid birder!).
For more information on KCDP and its activism, subscribe to our newsletter here, or call our office at 830-331-1243 or visit www.kcdems.us.
Laura Bray is the Outgoing Chair of the Kendall County Democratic Party.
