COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Ohio Democratic Party has named a new executive director that will take over after the Nov. 8 election.

The party says Kyle McDermott is now working with the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees and the We Are Ohio campaign that seeks to repeal a new state law that increases bargaining restrictions on public unions.

McDermott was raised in Zoar and holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Baldwin-Wallace College. He has served as state director for the Ohio AFL-CIO statewide political program, national field director for United Steelworkers and campaign manager for the 2010 secretary of state's race.

McDermott says he's "thrilled" he'll be leading the party for the 2012 campaign, which he says is "shaping up to be the most important election in decades."