Keister's political career began when he was elected a member of Dublin City Council in 1986.

Keister was elected the mayor of Dublin, Virginia, in 1989 and held office until 1997.

Keister later served as a Virginia delegate from 2000 to 2005, representing the 6th and 7th districts as a Democrat.

[4] Keister was the last Democrat to win either district, until their locations were changed in the run-up to the 2023 Virginia House of Delegates election.

[7] Keister died in Dublin, Virginia, on March 23, 2024, at age 83.