DNC taps EMILY’s List chief as new executive director

Amy Dacey, the executive director of EMILY’s List, will be the new executive director of the Democratic National Committee, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) announced on Thursday.

The longtime Democratic operative will lead the committee heading into the 2014 midterm election.

{mosads}“I am thrilled to welcome Amy to the Democratic National Committee,” Wasserman Schultz, the DNC chairwoman, said in a statement. “Amy brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and strategic insight that will be instrumental in helping the DNC continue to grow [and] build on the electoral gains we made in 2012.”

Dacey will be taking over from acting Executive Director Laura Santucci, who has held the office nearly two months. The previous executive director, Patrick Gaspard, was chosen by President Obama to serve as United States ambassador to South Africa.

EMILY’s List, a PAC with over two million members, is a major Democratic fundraiser that focuses on electing female Democrats who support abortion rights. The group has strong ties to the party.

Prior to joining EMILY’s List in 2010 Dacey was Director of Government Relations for the Service Employees International Union. She has also worked with John Kerry’s presidential campaign and Kerry’s leadership PAC, and has served as Deputy Policy Director for both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.