Texas Democrats Welcome Shay Wyrick Cathey as Vice Chair

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement welcoming the new Texas Democratic Party Vice Chair: 

“We are thrilled to welcome Shay Wyrick Cathey as Vice Chair of the Texas Democratic Party. Cathey was elected on Saturday in Houston by our State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC). As a 20-year veteran of Dallas government, Cathey is in her sixth year serving as a Senior Policy Adviser with Dallas County, and now works as senior adviser to County Judge Clay Jenkins. Her experience also includes her work with the Road & Bridge offices, the Criminal Justice Department, and the Parkland Hospital System. 

“As a policy adviser and longtime Democratic leader with deep Texas roots, Cathey understands the values of our Party. She has served at every level of our Party, and makes an excellent addition to our team to lead our party forward. Her vast experience in one of the largest counties in our country along with her passion and vision for our bolder Democratic movement will help us build towards a better future for us all.

“I look forward to working alongside Cathey to build on our Party’s strength and to create an even Democratic movement across Texas.”

About Texas Democratic Party Vice Chair Shay Wyrick Cathey:

Shay Wyrick Cathey is a 20-year-veteran of Dallas government and has been in and around local and state politics even longer. The daughter of a union worker and precinct chair, she volunteered for campaigns as a teenager. She cast her first vote in 1990 from her college dorm room and has never missed voting in any election since then. Prior to her lengthy career in county government, she worked for the Senate Legislative Black Caucus, Texas Democratic Party, Ron Kirk for U.S. Senate Campaign, and served as the Political Director for State Senator Royce West when Dallas County

gained historic wins.

She is the longest serving African American member of the State Democratic Executive Committee having served since 2006 representing SD 23 (Dallas and Tarrant.) She was appointed by former TDP Chair Boyd Richie to chair the Legislative Committee (2006-2008) and appointed by current TDP Chair Gilberto Hinojosa to chair Convention Committee (2012-2014) and the Nominations Committee since 2016. She served on the 2020 Election Review Committee.

She is married to husband Victor and they have three teenage sons.

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