The press release below is from the Obama campaign. According to this, Stewart was "a regional field director for the Louisiana Democratic Party during Sen. Mary Landrieu's 2002 run-off campaign." In addition, he served as a "regional field director for the South Dakota Democratic Party during Sen. Tim Johnson's 2002 re-election campaign," and has "served as a research assistant and staff assistant in Johnson's Senate office." That's a heck of a resume as far as I'm concerned. It's also interesting in that Steve Jarding is running Tim Johnson's re-election campaign and I'm helping with the South Dakota Democratic Party's Badlands Blue blog. Small world!
Mitch Stewart to Serve as Obama's Virginia State DirectorChicago, IL -Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign announced today that Mitch Stewart will serve as Obama's State Director for the general election. Stewart most recently served as Obama's Iowa Caucus Director and Indiana State Director.
"Virginia will be a critical state in this election and I'm honored to take the helm of Senator Obama's team in Virginia," Stewart said. "Senator Obama has put Virginia on the map in this race, and Obama's success in the primary in February shows we can be very competitive here. That is why we are going to work day and night to build upon our grassroots organization here and show Virginia voters why he is the only candidate who can truly bring the kind of change we can believe in. We are grateful to have the support of Governor Kaine, Senator Webb, Governor Warner, members of the delegation and all of our supporters who will stand with us as we work hard to win in November."
Governor Tim Kaine said, " Virginia voters know what is at stake this election. People across the Commonwealth are looking for real change that ends the war in Iraq, works to strengthen our economy and brings health care for every American, not for more of the same policies that have failed us for the last eight years. We're thrilled to have Mitch as the state director here - someone who has put countless hours into the Obama campaign and has fought to strengthen our party for the past 5 years. My colleagues and our supporters look forward to working with the Obama campaign to bring victory up and down the ticket in the fall."
Before joining the Obama team, Stewart was the Coordinated Campaign Manager for the DFL in Minnesota during the 2006 cycle. Before that, he served as Senator Tom Daschle's Field Director in 2004. Stewart was a Regional Director for John Edwards for President in Iowa in 2003.
Welcome to Virginia, Mr. Daniels. I think you'll find a very friendly progressive blogosphere ready and willing to help! :)