How big is Kentucky’s 2014 Senate race? Big enough for McClatchy to hire an extra reporter
Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (left) talks with Lexington Herald-Leader political writer Jack Brammer and other reporters during a 2010 Rand Paul Senate campaign press gaggle in Murray, Ky. The 2014 race for McConnell’s Senate seat is expected to garner so much national attention that the Lexington Herald-Leader is hiring an additional political writer to help Brammer staff the newspaper’s Frankfort bureau. (Photo by Billy Suratt) | Buy Photo Reprint
Just how big is this race shaping up to be? In addition to some experts wondering if Kentucky’s television and radio stations might actually exhaust their entire advertising inventory before the race is over, evidently it’s also big enough for McClatchy to greenlight the Lexington Herald-Leader hiring an additional reporter to help Jack Brammer cover it from the newspaper’s Frankfort bureau.
From Journalism Jobs:
We’re looking for a reporter with solid digital and watchdog skills who is willing to experiment as he or she leads our coverage of what is expected to be the nation’s nastiest and most expensive U.S. Senate race in 2014, a wide-open race for Kentucky governor in 2015, and U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s likely bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016.
You’ll also play a key role in producing innovative coverage of Kentucky’s General Assembly and work closely with reporters in the McClatchy Washington Bureau to explain and analyze the political maneuverings of Kentucky’s federal delegation.
What are they looking for in a candidate?
This position requires a motivated individual with sharp analytical skills who understands how the game of politics is played and can lay bare its underbelly in thoroughly reported stories presented in an array of print and digital formats. Inspired writing that reveals, explains and analyzes information in an authoritative manner that moves beyond the institutional; Excellent source-building skills; An exceptional grasp of social media, video, blogging and digital storytelling tools; A team player who maintains a professional demeanor and positive attitude during an often intense work environment; Self-motivation that generates unique, plentiful story ideas and fuels a yearning to always be ahead of the pack; A desire to take risks and try new things while adhering to traditional journalism values of fairness, accuracy and ethical conduct. Ability to quickly curate news from state and national sources about Kentucky politicians using services such as blogs, Twitter, Rebel Mouse and Storify.
(The complete ad is available here until Sept. 12, 2013.)
Broadcast outlets running out of airtime to sell is one thing, but newspapers hiring additional reporters to staff a bureau? That’s downright wacky nowadays.
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Category: Reality Bytes
About the Author (Author Profile)
I'm a Mid-South photojournalist, Kentucky writer and digital media consultant (or eNinja™). Circle me on Google Plus at Plus.BillySuratt.com, follow me on Twitter at @surattb and Instagram me at @BillySuratt. Got a news tip or suggestion about some journalism that needs committed? Email blog@billysuratt.com (discretion is always guaranteed).Subscribe
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