Keren Charles Dongo named new state director for Sen. Tim Kaine

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine announced Monday that Keren Charles Dongo will assume the role of his office’s State Director following the retirement of current State Director John Knapp at the end of this year.

“I’m so proud of John’s work over the past six years and am grateful to have Keren serve as my new State Director,” Kaine said. “John has been a keen listener and advocate for Virginians, and his dedication has helped me and my staff better serve the Commonwealth. With her deep ties to Virginia and past success on both my state and legislative staff, Keren brings a level of talent and experience that is sure to continue my state team’s record of excellence.”

Dongo was most recently Campaign Manager for Kaine’s 2018 re-election campaign. Prior to that, she worked as Deputy State Director and Legislative Assistant in Kaine’s Senate office. In these roles, she directed the state team’s outreach efforts and oversaw legislation related to federal employees, civil rights, crime and law enforcement, general government, and campaign finance reform.

She played a key role in one of Kaine’s signature legislative accomplishments by helping to draft and build support for the 400 Years of African American History Act, which passed last year and established a commission to commemorate the 400th anniversary in 2019 of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans into English Colonial America.

Dongo also served as Virginia’s Deputy State Director for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Prior to joining Kaine’s office, she served as director of Virginia’s Democratic Coordinated Campaign in 2012, which worked to elect Tim Kaine to the Senate, re-elect President Barack Obama, and elect Democratic members to the House. In addition to serving as deputy field director at the ONE Campaign, Dongo has also served as an advisor to U.S. Representative Bobby Scott and Outreach and Political Director of the 2008 Democratic Coordinated Campaign in Virginia.

Under Knapp’s leadership, Kaine’s state team has held over 900 public events throughout the Commonwealth and helped over 11,700 constituents address issues with federal agencies.