Local Politics Reporter

Local Politics Reporter

The Houston Chronicle is seeking a sharp, well-sourced reporter based in Houston to cover the people who represent the Houston region in positions of power — and whether they are delivering.

This reporter will focus on the region’s political ecosystem beyond City Hall: the local delegation in Austin and Washington, the leadership and strategy of local Democratic and Republican parties and the relationships that shape how the Houston area’s interests are advanced or sidelined. That includes close coverage of how leaders across the region engage with state leadership, including Gov. Greg Abbott, at a time when tensions between the state and Harris County continue to define the political landscape.

The Houston region sits at the center of some of the most consequential political fights in Texas, spanning one of the largest and most diverse metro areas in the country. With Houston set to host the Republican National Convention, the region’s role in national politics is growing. This reporter will own the question:
Who represents the Houston area, how effective are they, and what are they delivering? This role sits on the Chronicle’s local government team and works closely with our Austin-based politics team to deliver comprehensive coverage of the region’s presence in state and national decision-making.

• Cover Houston-area elected officials in Austin and Washington, tracking their priorities, influence and effectiveness in delivering for the region
• Develop deep sourcing within the Houston-area delegation and break news on policy, politics and behind-the-scenes dynamics
• Report on the relationship between leaders across the Houston region and state leadership, including points of conflict, negotiation and alignment
• Cover local Democratic and Republican parties across the region, including leadership, strategy, organizing and internal divisions
• Work closely with our Austin-based politics team to advance statewide coverage with a clear Houston-area lens
• Produce a consistent cadence of breaking news and deeply reported scoops that hold elected officials accountable to the needs of the region’s residents
• Collaborate with data reporters, visuals and audience teams to strengthen reporting
• Tell stories across formats, including working with video and visual teams to explain complex political issues in clear, engaging ways

• Has 3+ years of reporting experience, with a strong preference for local government or statehouse coverage
• Is based in Houston or willing to relocate, with a strong understanding of the Houston-area region and its political landscape
• Is driven to break news and develop original reporting on a competitive political beat
• Has a strong track record of building sources and delivering scoops
• Understands how power operates across local, state and federal levels
• Writes with clarity and authority, helping readers make sense of complex political relationships and outcomes

• Breaking news and delivering exclusive reporting on the Houston-area delegation and political leadership
• Producing journalism that clearly answers whether elected officials are delivering for the region
• Creating coverage that drives engagement, loyalty and subscriber value

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