Politics editor Nick Baumann, deputy politics editor Jen Liberto and political enterprise editor Pat Caldwell sent out the following at the Washington Post:
We’re in a political moment made for The Washington Post. We’re covering a consequential and active presidential administration, heading toward a dramatic and meaningful midterm election and looking ahead to a broader post-Trump political landscape. Both parties are grappling with shifting coalitions, changes to the issues that motivate voters and the rise of a new generation and class of political personalities shaped by the Trump era, social media and AI.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the addition of reporting and editing muscle, with two new hires and three longtime colleagues joining the Political Enterprise team. Under Pat Caldwell’s leadership, this team will be aimed at creating some of our most ambitious, revelatory and impactful journalism.
Two new colleagues, Jack Herrera, formerly of the Los Angeles Times and Texas Monthly, and Ian Ward of Politico Magazine, are joining The Post for the first time. Reporters Olivia George and Laura Meckler are moving to the team. And longtime investigative reporter William Wan, fresh off sharing the Public Service Pulitzer, will be the team’s new deputy editor.
Olivia, Laura, Jack, Ian and William will join the formidable existing team of Peter Jamison, Meryl Kornfield, Robert Samuels and Aaron Schaffer. And of course, all of them will continue to partner across the department and the newsroom to ensure that distinct, reported and agenda-setting political coverage is always in our sights.
We’re regularly producing such work now, and readers are engaging with it, as we’ve seen from our recent stories on J.D. Vance’s challenges, the false report about Pete Buttigieg’s family, Joe Biden’s ongoing struggles, Democratic primaries in Maine and Wisconsin and Sen. Lindsey Graham’s sudden death and its impact.
We can’t wait to see what this group can do as we head into a tumultuous and impactful moment in American politics. Readers are hungry for fascinating tales, deeper insight and understanding, exclusive news and political accountability. What a great opportunity for all of us.
Please join us in welcoming Ian and Jack, and congratulating Laura, William and Olivia on their new roles.
Nick | Jen | Pat
