What are the responsibilities and job description for the Politics Reporter, Campaigns & Elections position at The Philadelphia Inquirer?
The Philadelphia Inquirer is looking for an enterprising reporter to join our team covering the 2026 and 2028 elections in the key swing state of Pennsylvania. This Philadelphia-based reporter will work in partnership with our statehouse correspondent in Harrisburg to break news on the closely watched contest between Gov. Josh Shapiro and Treasurer Stacy Garrity, which will have major implications for the 2028 cycle.
The ideal candidate will be able to balance breaking news and enterprise reporting on candidates, the electorate and the issues shaping the race. The role also includes covering election administration and key statehouse and congressional races in Philadelphia’s collar counties.
This reporter will be able to identify trends across races and anticipate the issues that are motivating voters in these key counties, leading on-the-ground coverage as Shapiro and Garrity compete for votes in the crucial collar counties.
Beyond November, this reporter will play a key role in election coverage as Pennsylvania prepares for a 2028 cycle when the state is poised to help decide both the presidency and control of the U.S. Senate.
What You’ll Do
The ideal candidate will have 3 years of experience working in journalism. Prior experience covering politics/government and a familiarity with Pennsylvania is a plus. A self-starter who is prepared to build a new beat is the best fit for this job. Candidates should be comfortable working on tight deadlines, pitching stories, and juggling long-term and short-term coverage.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is the media brand of record in Philadelphia and the region, and the largest news media organization in the state of Pennsylvania. A daily habit for almost 200 years, The Inquirer delivers Pulitzer Prize-winning news, sports, food, and lifestyle journalism multi-platform: Inquirer.com, Inquirer newspaper, e-editions, apps, newsletters, social, video, podcasts, and live events, generating 15M monthly impressions. Locally owned and headquartered in Philadelphia, no media brand is more deeply connected to the city or better understands what drives it. Our influence also extends across key drive markets, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, as well as to Philadelphia expats who live across the country and root for the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and the Union.
The Inquirer is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state and/or local law.
The ideal candidate will be able to balance breaking news and enterprise reporting on candidates, the electorate and the issues shaping the race. The role also includes covering election administration and key statehouse and congressional races in Philadelphia’s collar counties.
This reporter will be able to identify trends across races and anticipate the issues that are motivating voters in these key counties, leading on-the-ground coverage as Shapiro and Garrity compete for votes in the crucial collar counties.
Beyond November, this reporter will play a key role in election coverage as Pennsylvania prepares for a 2028 cycle when the state is poised to help decide both the presidency and control of the U.S. Senate.
What You’ll Do
- Consistently break news on the two candidates running for Pa. governor in 2026.
- Produce engaging and thoroughly reported enterprise stories that leave readers with a deeper understanding of the state and its politics.
- Pitch interesting stories, meet deadlines and jump on news on your beat.
- Use alternative storytelling techniques and other creative ways to deliver information to a digital audience.
- Cultivate deep sourcing in campaigns, the Pa. General Assembly, and local parties.
- Become our go-to expert on Pa. election administration with a rolodex of contacts in county and state election offices.
- Collaborate closely with our statehouse and national reporters, as well as other members of the newsroom.
- Contribute to an inclusive and positive work environment
The ideal candidate will have 3 years of experience working in journalism. Prior experience covering politics/government and a familiarity with Pennsylvania is a plus. A self-starter who is prepared to build a new beat is the best fit for this job. Candidates should be comfortable working on tight deadlines, pitching stories, and juggling long-term and short-term coverage.
- A Journalist with skills of building a robust network of sources.
- Write clearly and know how to translate bureaucratic jargon into accessible terms for readers.
- Work collaboratively with editors and fellow reporters.
- Travel between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, as well as other communities in the region.
- Passion for news and a keen interest in understanding the dynamics of democratic institutions.
- An adept interviewer who knows how to find stories by building sources both in and outside of government.
- Highly organized and able to track and prioritize election deadlines and other important information for the beat.
- Experience working in a digital-first newsroom and having familiarity with digital publishing tools is a plus.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is the media brand of record in Philadelphia and the region, and the largest news media organization in the state of Pennsylvania. A daily habit for almost 200 years, The Inquirer delivers Pulitzer Prize-winning news, sports, food, and lifestyle journalism multi-platform: Inquirer.com, Inquirer newspaper, e-editions, apps, newsletters, social, video, podcasts, and live events, generating 15M monthly impressions. Locally owned and headquartered in Philadelphia, no media brand is more deeply connected to the city or better understands what drives it. Our influence also extends across key drive markets, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York, as well as to Philadelphia expats who live across the country and root for the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and the Union.
The Inquirer is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, and any other category protected by federal, state and/or local law.