Mexico - Democrats Abroad, the official organization representing Democrats living overseas, has appointed David Harwell as its new Executive Director.

Harwell, who previously worked for two years as Director of Communications, Rapid Response and Party Affairs for the Democratic Party of New Mexico, will lead Democrats Abroad's preparations to mobilize members to take part in the Global Presidential Primary next March, and turn out millions of overseas voters for the Democratic Presidential nominee in November 2016.

A seasoned political and communications professional, Harwell has worked as an independent political consultant, and as communications director for the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department and for the Department of Indian Affairs, and as Associate Press Secretary for the National Organization of Women. He also spent nearly five years working on Capitol Hill for two Members of Congress.

Originally from Memphis, David is a graduate of American University and studied at the American University of Paris, George Washington University and the University of California, Davis. He currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his husband Jim.

David Harwell, Executive Director of Democrats Abroad, said:

"I am excited to take on the role of Executive Director with Democrats Abroad. There is much to do in the coming year, and I'm ready to take up the challenge of helping Democrats Abroad make their mark on the 2016 presidential elections and successfully advocate for Americans living overseas. The Republican debates have already demonstrated that it matters little which hard-line conservative wins the nomination - each and every one will send our nation into an economic tailspin and wipe out the huge advances we have made in equal rights in the past eight years under President Obama.

It is more important than ever that Democrats Abroad mobilizes our membership worldwide to spread our party's record on economic growth, social justice and environmental protection to the over six million eligible voter living outside the United States. The delegates elected in our Regional Caucuses and Global Convention next spring will help determine the next President of the United States. It''s our goal to build upon the energy generated by our Primary in March to achieve a successful voter registration and turnout campaign that will help see a Democrat remain in the White House and the Party retake control of Congress."

Katie Solon, Chair of Democrats Abroad, said:

"I am delighted to welcome David Harwell as Democrats Abroad's new Executive Director. "Democrats Abroad works in a number of ways with and for Americans living abroad. We help Americans register to vote and request a ballot through our VoteFromAbroad.org website, we advocate in the halls of Congress on issues of concern to Americans living overseas, and unlike the Republican Party, we offer overseas voters the chance to vote in an official Primary and send voting delegates to the National Convention. We look forward to utilizing David's extensive experience in the years ahead to help Democrats Abroad grow, mobilize Americans to vote, and advocate on the issues that most interest Americans living overseas."

With country committees and local chapters in over 80 countries around the world, Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party organization for the millions of Americans living outside the United States. It works to advance the principles of the Party by spreading the Democratic message to US voters abroad and encouraging them to vote for Democratic candidates.