Statehouse Tech Reporter

Politico • Sacramento, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

POLITICO is seeking an enterprising, collaborative, and versatile reporter to cover California technology policy and politics from its Sacramento newsroom. The role involves covering significant state-level debates impacting the tech sector, such as cryptocurrency regulation, social media platforms, and data privacy legislation. The reporter will contribute to the daily California Decoded newsletter alongside two other reporters and will produce agenda-setting tech coverage for policymakers, government officials, industry leaders, and advocates. Responsibilities include breaking news, providing policy updates, and writing enterprise stories for state, national, and global audiences. The position requires collaboration with other POLITICO tech reporters in Washington, London, and Brussels to connect global insights and explain the future of technology and its significance. This is a key role in a growing market for POLITICO, requiring the ability to build and leverage a network of sources in state government and the private sector to produce stories with strong angles, fresh ideas, and a clear purpose. The ideal candidate is a fast and determined reporter capable of breaking news and delivering high-impact enterprise for both subscribers and a global readership.

Requirements

• A strong interest in political journalism.
• Familiarity with California politics and government.
• Familiarity with tech policy issues or extensive experience developing a policy, political, or government beat.
• A track record of clean, clear, accurate, and authoritative writing.
• Smart, innovative ideas and a drive to be first on every big story.
• Ability to juggle tight deadlines and a demanding pace.
• A collaborative spirit and willingness to work as part of a team.
• A rigorous commitment to fair-minded, nonpartisan journalism.

Nice To Haves

• Campaign-finance reporting experience.
• Data journalism experience.

Responsibilities

• Cover key state-level debates with national implications for the tech sector, including legislation on cryptocurrency, social media platforms, and personal data usage.
• Help anchor the daily California Decoded newsletter with two other reporters.
• Deliver agenda-setting tech coverage geared toward lawmakers, government officials, industry leaders, and advocates.
• Break news, provide policy updates, and write homepage enterprise stories for state, national, and global audiences.
• Collaborate with other POLITICO tech reporters in Washington, London, and Brussels to connect global insights and explain the future of technology.
• Build a network of knowledgeable sources in state government and the private sector.
• Produce stories with robust angles, provocative and fresh ideas, and a clear sense of purpose.
• Break news and deliver high-impact enterprise.

Benefits

• Compensation: $80,000- 90,000 Annual Base.
• The final salary offered will be based on factors including relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed