The Texas Forward Party has named two new county chairs, appointing civic leader Ciara Perez as Cameron County Chair and attorney John Flud as Harris County Chair. The appointments come as the party prepares for its inaugural state convention later this year.
Both appointments were made by the party’s State Executive Committee, with the organization formally naming Perez to the position in late January, followed by Flud several days later. Their selections are part of the party’s broader effort to develop a local presence across the state, with the ultimate goal of appointing leaders in all 254 counties.
A roadmap released in April 2025 explored the party’s goal of “activating” each county in Texas, while also committing to expanding its volunteer base, drafting formal policy positions on a range of issues, and pursuing ballot access for the 2026 election cycle. Since then, the party has also endorsed a slate of independent candidates ahead of the general election and plans to support them with ballot access efforts and voter outreach.
In a statement announcing Perez’s appointment, the party pointed to her background in community leadership, grassroots organizing, and civic engagement, specifically across South Texas. Perez, who intends to focus on “dignity, accountability, and results,” said she had already been working with local volunteers in recent months and will prioritize collaboration and practical solutions within the Cameron County affiliate.
“Stepping into this role is an opportunity to help strengthen civic engagement at the local level,” Perez said. “Cameron County and the Rio Grande Valley face unique challenges and opportunities, and I’m committed to ensuring local voices are not just heard, but meaningfully represented in the work ahead.”
In a separate statement on Flud’s appointment, the party praised his background as a Houston-based attorney and graduate of Houston Christian University and South Texas College of Law. It also acknowledged his prior work as a volunteer attorney with Lone Star Legal Aid and his service as treasurer for Access Builds Children. Regarding his priorities, Flud said the Forward Party’s presence in Harris County would focus on local elections and building trust with voters through community-level engagement.
“To me, this appointment is about responsibility and momentum,” Flud said. “It’s a chance to help build a serious, durable alternative for people in Harris County who are tired of being forced into choices that don’t reflect their values.”
Perez and Flud are expected to immediately prioritize organizing their counties ahead of the Texas Forward Party’s inaugural state convention on April 11 in Austin. According to the party’s event calendar, both counties’ precinct conventions are scheduled for the first half of March, where delegates will be selected to advance to the state convention.
During a virtual town hall in January, party Chair Rick Kennedy said the organization had 11 county chairs at that time, with several more actively being vetted. The total did not include the two most recent appointments.
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