WILMINGTON — Kathleen Rutherford will serve as executive director for A Better Delaware, a political advocacy organization which supports “pro-growth, pro-jobs policies and overall transparency in state government,” officials said.

Ms. Rutherford will succeed Zoe Callaway, who for two years was at the forefront of driving over a dozen advocacy campaigns including raising public awareness about a possible soda tax and income tax hike.

Currently, A Better Delaware is advocating for more rapidly opening up the state completely, officials said.

Ms. Callaway has accepted a position at the highly regarded Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C. as manager of education and outreach and will hand over the reins to Ms. Rutherford in the beginning of May.

“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 Dc,” founder Chris Kenny said in a news release.

Over the past six years, Ms. Rutherford has directed several major political campaigns in Delaware helping to raise over $1 million in donations, recruited hundreds of volunteers and consistently led a record number of voters to the ballot box in support of her candidate clients, officials said.

During this time, Ms. Rutherford also formed Rutherford Consulting, Inc. offering communications and marketing strategies to advance her clients position with the Delaware General Assembly and the regulatory bodies of the State of Delaware.

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

“The work at A Better Delaware is consistently in motion and the organization is affecting change. This is where I want to be,” Ms. Rutherford said in a prepared statement. “My goal as executive director for A Better Delaware is to continue their year-round communications which promote policies benefiting Delaware’s economy, and enhance their grassroots efforts, which have to date earned 10,000 Facebook followers and over 13,000 email subscribers. 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.”