Rutherford takes helm of A Better Delaware

WILMINGTON – Kathleen Rutherford, a veteran state Republican political campaign manager and consultant, has been named the new executive director of A Better Delaware, a non-partisan public policy and political advocacy organization that supports pro-growth, pro-jobs policies.

Kathleen Rutherford | PHOTO COURTESY OF A BETTER DELAWARE

Rutherford succeeds the organization’s first executive director, Zoe Callaway, who has led it for the last two years and recently accepted a position at the Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C.

“While I am saddened to see Zoe leave after such an incredible performance launching ABD to become a formidable presence in Delaware, I am very happy to see her land a much larger role in such a prestigious national organization in D.C.,” said Chris Kenny, president and CEO of the Kenny family ShopRites and the founder of A Better Delaware, in a statement announcing the leadership change.

During her tenure, Callaway spearheaded campaigns against proposed tax increases and the state’s Health Resources Board, which oversees the building of health care facilities. During the pandemic, A Better Delaware was also among a chorus of voices advocating for a more rapid reopening of the state’s economy.

Rutherford joins the organization after six years of Republican political campaign organizing in which she raised more than $1 million, including for candidates like Ken Simpler, Hans Reigle and John Marino. She also founded a boutique communications firm, Rutherford Consulting Inc., and did communication work for the Delaware Republican Party. She has also spent time as the director of business development for the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce as well as a number of roles in education.

“Kathleen brings that seasoned Delaware political experience coupled with fundraising prowess that will bring ABD to new heights. I am excited to see what we can achieve with her at the helm,” Kenny said.

Rutherford said that she wanted to continue A Better Delaware’s “year-round communications which promote policies benefiting Delaware’s economy, and enhance its grassroots efforts.”

“The work at A Better Delaware is consistently in motion and the organization is affecting change. This is where I want to be,” she said in a statement. “I am extremely excited to carry forward A Better Delaware’s mission of advocating for a transparent government with common-sense policies that benefit all Delawareans.”