Indiana Democrats are facing challenges following the resignation of Samuel Ujdak, the Chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Party, who announced his departure after only three and a half months. He cited personal developments and changes in the national landscape as reasons for his decision, indicating a significant victory for the GOP.
To provide context, on June 22, 2025, Samuel Ujdak, the Chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Party in Indiana, declared his resignation, attributing it primarily to personal circumstances. Ujdak expressed that he felt “exhausted” and needed “a lot of healing” after nearly three decades of involvement in the state’s Democratic politics.
In a statement regarding his resignation, shared by the Monroe County Democrats, Ujdak elaborated on the reasons behind his choice to step down, stating, “Developments in my personal life over the course of this year have weighed heavily on me for some time now.” He requested that everyone respect his privacy during this period and encouraged them to continue the commendable work they are already doing in the community, as well as to commit to expanding those efforts in the ways they had envisioned.
Moreover, Ujdak reflected on his dedication to the party over the years, saying, “I have given MCDP a great deal of my blood, sweat, and tears over the last eight years, much of it held in stories you’ll likely never hear. I have preferred to stay in the background and do the work for much of that time.” He concluded with, “At this time, I am exhausted.”
Furthermore, Udjak articulated his apprehensions regarding the repercussions of the Trump Administration on the LGBT community, stating, “America’s highest institutions are stripping away life-saving gender affirming care from trans teens and suffocating the very social resources that have sustained hundreds of thousands of queer children and young individuals over the past decade by eliminating the opportunity to consult with queer counselors on suicide prevention hotlines.” He further remarked, “They have vocally proclaimed that they desire our demise.”
Similarly, Udjak condemned Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), asserting, “ICE’s masked officers are increasingly visible in a growing number of American cities, abducting fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters from our streets. They are forcibly removing our neighbors from their residences.” He emphasized, “Do. Not. Turn. Inward.”
Moreover, Udjak mentioned that after feeling exhausted from his involvement with the party, he has “a significant amount of healing to undertake,” continuing with, “In one way or another, I have been engaged in or directly connected to politics in Indiana for 27 years.” He also indicated that he would be permanently withdrawing from politics, stating, “Please regard this as my retirement from public life within that political sphere.” He added, “I understand better than most the toll this lifestyle exacts when your heart yearns to be elsewhere.”
In closing his letter, Udjak expressed that it had been a privilege to serve Indiana “in the various roles I have fulfilled over the past 8 years,” adding, “Being one of the few openly queer political party chairs in Indiana is a significant achievement. Cherish one another. Cherish yourselves. Safeguard trans youth.” Udjak’s resignation took effect on June 23, 2025.