New York Times Politics Desk announces 2022 midterm elections reporting team

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Change is afoot on the Politics Desk as we’ve rebuilt for the midterms and retooled to cover the emboldened political right and the growing questions about the future of American democracy. While we’ve announced several exciting outside hires, some heavy hitters on our staff are also moving into new roles, and it’s high time that we spell things out clearly.

Two of our most experienced and capable political reporters are moving into new high-profile assignments. Coming off her book leave, Maggie Haberman is stepping into a wide-ranging role as a senior political correspondent, designed to capitalize on her unmatched network of sources and her relentless drive for news. In addition to continuing her investigative work on the aftermath of Jan. 6 for the Washington Bureau, Maggie will write sharp, news-breaking enterprise that exposes the motivations, rivalries and passions driving American politics. There is simply no better source reporter, or better-sourced reporter, working in political journalism today. There is also no better teammate or collaborator, and we’re particularly eager to see what develops when Maggie combines forces with Michael Bender, our new Trump and Trumpism correspondent. But in this new role, Maggie will pick targets across the spectrum, covering both Democrats and Republicans, and her quick and cutting analysis will be a signature feature of our election-night coverage. We’re excited to unleash her talents on the candidates and campaigns defining this election cycle.

Similarly, Jonathan Martin has transitioned out of the national political correspondent role into an enterprise beat with big ambitions. Jonathan has long been a clutch player, quick to conjure up a big-picture idea that helps readers make sense of the news and deliver the reporting that supports it. Now, as a senior political correspondent released from (some of) that deadline pressure, he is going deeper to explore the political ideas, personalities, strategies and realignments shaping our turbulent times. He’s already landed standout stories on Mitch McConnell’s struggle to recruit allies to the Senate and Democrats’ frustrations with President Biden. There’s much, much more to come.

We’ve already told you about Shane Goldmacher’s promotion and the recruitment of Michael Bender. But our pool of big-story writers, which also includes Lisa Lerer, is getting even deeper: The Washington Bureau’s loss of Jonathan Weisman is our gain. Jonathan is stepping into a key midterm role this year alongside our new colleague Jazmine Ulloa, sharing lead responsibility for House and Senate races. And the estimable Katie Glueck has rejoined Politics from Metro, where she spent a very eventful year as chief metro political correspondent. Katie will be focusing on the Democratic Party, drawing on her sources from covering the Biden campaign.

Similarly, Reid Epstein will be our point person on races for governor, in addition to his work with Nick Corasaniti and now Ali Berzon and the Magazine’s Charlie Homans on our democracy team, along with Alan Feuer, whose peerless work on Jan. 6 for Washington will eventually give way to a broader focus on extremism and political violence. And more to come, as Jim Rutenberg is returning from book leave to his dual role on the Magazine and Politics.

We’re not fixing what ain’t broke, so Trip Gabriel will continue his strong work on campaigns, Jenny Medina will keep turning out smart, thoughtful stories on voters and Latino politics, and Maya King is in the middle of the action in Georgia.

As ever, our coverage of statewide races and issues will depend on a strong partnership with the National Desk, and our reporting on the Congressional midterms and on the Biden administration’s political difficulties will require close cooperation with the Hill and White House teams in the Washington Bureau. As an example of that teamwork we are working to encourage National, Washington and Politics reporters alike to contribute to the On Politics newsletter, which is enjoying a brilliant renaissance under Blake Hounshell and Leah Askarinam.

Finally, with live midterm coverage revving up, we’re elated to be able to draw on the services of two excellent Express Desk reporters to help our beat reporters respond quickly to breaking political news and jump on news that falls outside our normal coverage lanes. Azi Paybarah has been seconded to Politics through November, and now Neil Vigdor will be helping us with democracy-related news, thanks to the cooperation of Julie Bloom.

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