Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Mike Sanders announced today the appointment of Joe Duffy, a veteran of Missouri politics, as the new executive director of the Missouri Democratic Party.

"Joe’s experience with a range of Democratic candidates and officials will help us as we plan for the 2014 election cycle,” said Sanders. "Joe is ready to continue building our Party at all levels."

Duffy has a wealth of knowledge and experience in statewide and local grassroots activities. He has worked for Organizing for America in multiple states, including Missouri, Colorado, Iowa and Texas.

In 2010, he served as deputy field director for the Missouri Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. In 2012, Duffy served as the Statewide Field Director for Governor Jay Nixon’s re-election.

Duffy got his start in Democratic politics working for then-Senator Barack Obama’s first Presidential campaign during the Iowa Caucuses and continued during the general election of 2008.

Kelsey Thompson, the current Executive Director, is leaving the position to rejoin Governor Nixon’s administration. Sanders praised the job Thompson did during the 2012 election cycle.