American political leader, consultant, and editor
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Key moments and achievements from David Keene's life.
David was born
· Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political Leadership
While at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 1960s, Keene served as chapter leader and eventually national chairman of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), one of the most influential conservative youth organizations. This early activism launched his career in the conservative movement.
Political Leadership
While at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the 1960s, Keene served as chapter leader and eventually national chairman of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF), one of the most influential conservative youth organizations. This early activism launched his career in the conservative movement.
Government Role
Keene worked as a political assistant to Vice President Spiro Agnew during the Nixon administration, gaining high-level experience in Republican politics. He later served as executive assistant to Senator James L. Buckley in the 1970s.
Government Role
Keene worked as a political assistant to Vice President Spiro Agnew during the Nixon administration, gaining high-level experience in Republican politics. He later served as executive assistant to Senator James L. Buckley in the 1970s.
Political Leadership
Keene served as chairman of the American Conservative Union from 1984 to 2011, growing CPAC from a gathering of a few hundred participants to 11,000, making it the indispensable annual stop for conservative movement activists. His 27-year tenure made him one of the most influential figures in modern conservatism.
Political Leadership
Keene served as chairman of the American Conservative Union from 1984 to 2011, growing CPAC from a gathering of a few hundred participants to 11,000, making it the indispensable annual stop for conservative movement activists. His 27-year tenure made him one of the most influential figures in modern conservatism.
Organizational Leadership
Keene served as president of the National Rifle Association for the traditional two one-year terms from 2011 to 2013. The position placed him at the helm of one of America's most powerful advocacy organizations during a period of intense debate over gun policy.
Organizational Leadership
Keene served as president of the National Rifle Association for the traditional two one-year terms from 2011 to 2013. The position placed him at the helm of one of America's most powerful advocacy organizations during a period of intense debate over gun policy.
Media Career
Keene served as the Opinion Editor of The Washington Times, bringing his decades of conservative movement experience to one of the capital's most prominent conservative newspapers. The role represented a late-career pivot into journalism and commentary.
Media Career
Keene served as the Opinion Editor of The Washington Times, bringing his decades of conservative movement experience to one of the capital's most prominent conservative newspapers. The role represented a late-career pivot into journalism and commentary.
David Keene passed away
