State Politics Reporter

Hearst • Austin, TX

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking an aggressive and insightful Texas politics reporter to join our state politics team in Austin. You will cover the people, policies, and power dynamics shaping Texas for the largest news organizations in Texas including the Houston Chronicle, the San Antonio Express-News and the Austin American-Statesman. This reporter will be responsible for breaking news, producing sharp enterprise stories, and delivering smart analysis that explains what’s happening in state government — and why it matters to our audiences. We’re looking for someone who can cut through political noise to deliver meaningful, high-impact reporting that holds elected officials accountable and connects policy decisions to everyday life. From the Legislature to state agencies and campaign trails, this reporter will cover a wide range of political developments with urgency, depth and clarity.

Requirements

• Has 3+ years of experience covering politics, government, or public policy — statehouse experience preferred.
• Is a sharp writer and reporter who can juggle breaking news, daily stories and longer enterprise pieces.
• Understands the stakes of state government and can connect policies to the people and communities affected.
• Is comfortable navigating political power structures and understands how to report fairly, independently and with authority.
• Has a digital-first mindset and understands how to optimize coverage for different audiences and formats.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and communicates well with colleagues across newsrooms.

Responsibilities

• Be first and best on breaking political news while identifying and reporting on deeper trends that affect Texans.
• Deliver exclusive, high-impact stories that explain how state policies affect schools, cities, the environment, the economy and more.
• Cover statewide elections and political campaigns with urgency and depth, focusing on both policy and how Texas shapes the national conversation.
• Build a strong network of sources in government, politics, advocacy, and watchdog groups to break news and deepen coverage.
• Write clearly and authoritatively for digital audiences, using smart framing, engaging headlines and accessible language.
• Work collaboratively with visuals, data and audience teams to create compelling journalism across text, video, graphics and social platforms.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees