Politico is seeking an aggressive, enterprising reporter to cover how the tech industry is shaping the new political landscape. You will focus on how leading companies and executives are positioning themselves with the White House, Congress and regulators across America; which policies they’re advancing or fighting; who they’re lobbying and how Silicon Valley is preparing for the 2028 presidential campaign.
The beat will cover the companies at the center of the tech and AI industries — including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Nvidia and xAI — as well as the executives, founders, investors, lobbyists and political operatives driving the industry’s relationship with Washington and the states.
A deep source network among the biggest tech players in Silicon Valley and Washington will be essential. Those sources will drive breaking news on the tech industry’s political strategy, lobbying campaigns, corporate relationships and policy priorities, along with distinctive reporting on the personalities behind the industry’s growing political clout.
The beat will focus closely on who has the ear of President Trump, which executives are gaining access to the White House, who is building relationships on Capitol Hill, which tech leaders are becoming political players and how rivalries, alliances and personal relationships are influencing the industry’s political approach.
The policy portfolio will include artificial intelligence, antitrust and competition, data privacy, copyright, content moderation, online platforms, cryptocurrency, semiconductors, export controls, data centers and the tech workforce. The job will involve explaining the policy fights that matter most to Silicon Valley and, crucially, how the industry is seeking to influence them — through lobbying, political organizing, coalition-building and direct engagement with policymakers.
The beat will also explore the competing visions within Silicon Valley over AI policy, the growing influence of AI companies and investors, and the battles over regulation that could define the industry’s future. Following the money and political capital will be a key piece of the job: which companies are spending to influence policy, which lobbyists and advisers are gaining influence, what trade groups are prioritizing, which executives are becoming donors and advisers and how companies are positioning themselves on the biggest political and policy questions.
The reporter will dive in on how presidential candidates are courting Silicon Valley, which tech executives and investors are choosing sides, what the industry wants from the next administration and how tech executives are working to influence the candidates who could ultimately set tech policy.
The job will require someone who can move comfortably between Silicon Valley and Washington — someone who understands the tech industry on its own terms but can also recognize the political stakes behind its biggest decisions.
Breaking news, cultivating high-level sources and producing ambitious enterprise will be central to the role, with a focus on explaining how Silicon Valley is positioning itself, building influence and trying to determine what comes next.
The position will work closely with POLITICO’s teams to connect developments in Silicon Valley with policy and political battles in Washington, Brussels and other tech and political centers around the world.
What You’ll Need
- Significant reporting experience covering tech, politics, policy and government.
- A demonstrated ability to break news and deliver incisive, original reporting.
- A deep understanding of the tech industry and the political and regulatory forces shaping it.
- An established network of sources among tech executives, founders, investors, policymakers, lobbyists, lawyers and political operatives — or the ability to build one quickly.
- Experience covering companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Nvidia, xAI or other leading tech companies is highly valued.
- A track record of developing sources who can provide proprietary information about corporate strategy, executive relationships, lobbying efforts and political activity.
- A strong interest in the personalities, relationships and power dynamics shaping Silicon Valley and Washington.
- The ability to identify and cultivate sources among executives, lobbyists and political figures defining the tech industry’s relationship with government.
- The ability to write clearly, accurately and efficiently on deadline.
- The ability to juggle fast-moving breaking news with ambitious enterprise and investigative reporting.
- Smart, innovative story ideas and a relentless drive to be first on consequential stories.
- The ability to explain complex tech, political and policy developments clearly for an influential audience.
- A collaborative spirit and willingness to work with reporters and editors across POLITICO’s California, Washington and global tech teams.
- A rigorous commitment to fair-minded, accurate and nonpartisan journalism.
The anticipated salary range is $145,000–$160,000 per year. The final salary offered will be based on factors including relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.
To apply, go here.
