WASHINGTON—In a press conference at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) today, President-elect Barack Obama announced his selection of Gov. Tim Kaine from Virginia to succeed Gov. Howard Dean as Chairman of the DNC. Jennifer O'Malley Dillon will serve as Executive Director.
“Governor Kaine is uniquely qualified to expand the coalition for change we built over the past two years,” said President-elect Obama. “In a state as diverse as Virginia, Tim has been a successful governor not by appealing to our divisions, but by appealing to our common hopes; not by pursuing policies that advance any ideology, but by pursuing policies that work for the people of Virginia.”
“In Virginia, we’ve treated politics as a way to advance policy and get things done for people,” said Gov. Kaine. “That’s why we’ve not only won elections, but our state has been ranked as the best managed, and we’ve made meaningful differences in people’s lives. President-elect Obama is giving me the opportunity to take that approach nationwide, and I’m honored to be here.”
High-ranking democrats have expressed support of the decision.
Democratic Governors Association Chair Gov. Brian Schweitzer of Montana and DGA Executive Director Nathan Daschle today congratulated Gov. Tim Kaine on his appointment to lead the DNC.
Gov. Howard Dean, the current DNC Chairman, also commended the selection.
“Tim’s strong record of accomplishment has resulted in Virginia being named the best managed state in America and includes numerous important victories for Virginians including record breaking efforts in land conservation, increased funding for Virginia’s schools and the newly approved rail transit line to Dulles Airport,” said Dean.
Kaine’s term as Governor ends in January 2010; Virginia limits governors to a single term. Previously, he served four terms on the Richmond City Council, including two spent as Richmond’s Mayor. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2001 and Governor in 2006.
As a newly elected Senator, Obama was a strong supporter of Kaine in his campaign for Governor. Kaine then returned the favor by coming out as the first major elected official to endorse Obama early-on in his presidential bid.
Kaine has also been reported as one of the final three choices for Vice-president, which eventually went to Sen. Joe Biden.
On Jan. 21, members of the DNC will vote on Governor Kaine’s selection during the annual winter meeting.
Jennifer O'Malley Dillon served as the Obama campaign’s Battleground States Director, where she oversaw the campaign’s state operations. She has worked on numerous campaigns in recent years. She currently serves as an associate director of personnel on the presidential transition team.
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