David Keene, Conservative Movement Maestro, Dies at 80

Keene was a towering figure who bridged the worlds of grassroots politics and Washington power corridors.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

David Keene, a prominent figure in the growth of the modern conservative movement, died on Sunday at the age of 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Keene spent decades shaping the conservative landscape, from his role as chairman of the American Conservative Union and president of the NRA to his time as opinion editor at The Washington Times.

Why it matters

Keene was a central figure in the rise of modern conservatism, helping to transform the movement from its intellectual infancy to political maturity. He was known for his ability to straddle different worlds, maintaining credibility with grassroots conservatives while also advising presidents and other political leaders.

The details

Keene got his start in politics as a volunteer for the Kennedy campaign in 1960 before shifting to support Barry Goldwater in 1964. He went on to work in the Nixon White House, serve as a lobbyist, and advise multiple Republican presidents and nominees. Keene was the longtime volunteer chairman of the American Conservative Union, growing CPAC into a must-attend event for GOP hopefuls. He later served as president of the NRA and opinion editor at The Washington Times.

  • Keene died on Sunday, March 9, 2026.
  • Keene had been battling pancreatic cancer.

The players

David Keene

A towering figure in the growth of the modern conservative movement who was equally comfortable in grassroots politics and Washington power corridors.

Richard Viguerie

Another giant figure in the growth of the political right who worked with Keene on criminal justice reform.

Wayne LaPierre

The longtime executive vice president of the NRA who spent decades working with Keene.

Haley Barbour

The former governor of Mississippi who recalled Keene's helpfulness when Barbour was getting his first job in Washington.

Ian Walters

Worked for Keene at the American Conservative Union and described him as "a fantastic thinker and one hell of an operator."

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He was a true believer, all the conservatives knew he was a true believer, and then people he advised and counseled in the political arena knew he was really, really good at what he did.”

— Richard Viguerie (The Washington Times)

“He had great stories about politics, kind of like legendary actors like Charlton Heston had great stories about Hollywood. Within those stories were very keen observations on politics.”

— Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President, NRA (The Washington Times)

“Candidly, one of the things I liked about Dave the most was he was transparent. What you see is what you get. And he treated everybody that way.”

— Haley Barbour, Former Governor of Mississippi (The Washington Times)

“He believed and understood that, yeah, you do your party politics, but there are these opportunities where the left and right come together, and those are righteous causes.”

— Ian Walters, Worked for Keene at the ACU (The Washington Times)

The takeaway

Keene's passing marks the end of an era, as he was a figure who embodied the principles of conservatism while also maintaining civility and bipartisan friendships. His ability to bridge different worlds and find common ground made him a respected and influential voice in the conservative movement.