TOPEKA ? The Kansas Democratic Party is getting a new executive director.

The party announced Tuesday that Kerry Gooch will step into the job after Jason Perkey left to take over as executive director of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

At 24, Gooch will be among the youngest executive directors of a state Democratic organization in the nation, and Kansas Chairman Larry Meeker said Gooch will help to attract and retain young people.

Gooch said in a statement that he looks forward to strengthening the party while working to hold Republican Gov. Sam Brownback accountable.

He formally served as political director for the party and is a native of Wichita. He is a grandson of former state Sen. U.L. “Rip” Gooch, also from Wichita.