Indiana Democrats are struggling after Monroe County Democratic Party Chairman Samuel Ujdak announced his resignation after just three and a half months, saying that developments in his personal life and changes to the state of the country had prompted him to step down — and clarify that he was leaving politics entirely, signaling a major win for the GOP.
For context, on June 22, 2025, Samuel Ujdak, the Monroe County, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman, announced his resignation, saying that the primary reason he was leaving his role was personal circumstances. Udjak went on to explain that he was “exhausted” and had “a lot of healing to do” after being involved in the state’s blue politics for nearly three decades.
In an announcement of his resignation shared by Monroe County Democrats, Udjak explained the impetus behind his decision to leave, saying, “Developments in my personal life over the course of this year
have weighed heavily on me for some time now.” He added, “I would ask that everyone respect my privacy at this time and simply continue the good work many of you are already doing in the community and
commit to expanding that work in all of the ways we had hoped.”
Furthermore, Udjak said that he had worked hard for 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 continued, “At this time, I am exhausted.”
Moreover, Udjak expressed his concerns about the impact of the Trump Administration on the LGBT community, saying, “America’s highest institutions are ripping life-saving gender afrming care away from trans teens and smothering the very social resources that have kept hundreds of thousands of queer children and young people alive over the last decade by removing the ability to speak to queer counselors on suicide prevention lines.” He added, “They have loudly declared that they want us dead.”
Likewise, Udjak criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying, “ICE’s masked police are increasingly present in more and more American cities, stealing fathers and mothers and brothers and sisters and sons and daughters off of our streets. They are ripping our neighbors out of their homes.” He added, “Do. Not. Turn. Inward.”
In addition, Udjak said that after being worn out by his work with the party, he has “a lot of healing to do,” going on to say, “In one way or another, I have been around or directly involved in politics in Indiana for 27 years.” He also said that he was permanently stepping back from politics, saying, “Please consider this my retirement from public life within that body politic.” He added, “I know better than most the toll this life takes when your heart wants to be anywhere else.”
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Concluding his letter, Udjak said it had been an honor to serve Indiana “in the many capacities in which I have done so these last 8 years,” adding, “Being one of the few openly queer political party chairs in Indiana is no small thing. Love each other. Love yourselves. Protect trans kids.” Udjak’s resignation became effective on June 23, 2025.
Featured image credit: Samuel Udjak via Instagram