Topeka ? The Kansas Democratic Party has a new executive director.

Party Chairman Larry Gates said Wednesday that Kenny Johnston will move into the job being vacated by Mike Gaughan, who took a job as a special assistant to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. Johnston had been the party’s technology director.

Johnston was responsible for the progress the state party made in online organizing and modernization of the party’s infrastructure. He worked for Dennis Moore’s congressional campaigns in 2004 and 2006 before joining the state party in February of 2007.

Gates said Johnston will be able to build on recent successes and lead the party into the 2010 elections.