The line between journalism and politics sometimes blurs, and it’s not uncommon to see media figures transition to the campaign trail. Recently, political reporter Hanna Trudo hinted at a potential run for Congress in New Hampshire as a Democrat, sparking discussion about the trend of media personalities seeking political office within the Democratic party.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. Several prominent figures from mainstream media have previously sought elected office as Democrats, with varying degrees of success. Let’s examine some notable examples.
John Avlon, a former CNN political analyst, launched a bid for Congress in New York in 2024, aiming to counter the influence of Donald Trump and his supporters. Despite winning the Democratic nomination, he ultimately lost the general election by a significant margin. Avlon’s background included editing the liberal Daily Beast and hosting a CNN segment known for its left-leaning perspective.
Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, a former CNBC anchor, made a bold but unsuccessful attempt to challenge Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a Democratic primary. Positioning herself as a more moderate candidate, she ultimately received only a small percentage of the vote. Her extensive career at CNBC included roles as chief financial correspondent and co-anchor of “Power Lunch.”
Nicholas Kristof, a long-time New York Times columnist, attempted a run for Oregon governor in 2021. However, his candidacy was short-lived due to questions surrounding his residency requirements, ultimately rendering him ineligible to run. This led to a return to his journalistic career at the Times.
Matthew Dowd, a former ABC News political analyst, briefly ran for Texas lieutenant governor in 2021 as a Democrat. Despite previously identifying as an independent, his campaign was notable for his 2018 commentary suggesting that White, male Christians should step back from positions of power to allow for greater minority representation. He eventually withdrew from the race, citing a more diverse field of Democratic candidates.
Dylan Ratigan, a former CNBC and MSNBC journalist, sought the Democratic nomination for Congress in New York in 2018 but failed to secure the nomination.
It’s important to note that this transition from media to politics isn’t exclusive to Democrats. Republican Kari Lake, for example, transitioned from a news anchor career to unsuccessful campaigns for governor and U.S. Senate in Arizona. The trend, however, highlights the intersection of media, public perception, and political ambition.
