California Political Editor
Nashville Public Radio, Sacramento, California, United States, 95828
Overview
The Sacramento Bee seeks an experienced, innovative and energetic editor to oversee our team of reporters who deliver exclusive reporting on California politics, public policy and elections. We are looking for a leader who can guide coverage of campaign finance, lobbying, and the impact of national events on California, while building audience loyalty through high-quality journalism. This editor will oversee our Capitol Bureau, a group of six reporters who cover the government of the state and the California congressional delegation, and a range of beat coverage including the environment, housing and the state’s homeowners’ insurance crisis. Strong candidates will bring fresh ideas for producing a high volume of unique, relevant journalism to build reader loyalty and understand that publishing consistently and often helps grow an audience around core topics. Our journalism seeks to hold elected officials accountable for their promises and actions and to connect California coverage with the national political landscape. We aim to tell stories focused on readers in Greater Sacramento, the Central Valley and San Luis Obispo County, rather than letting Washington’s or Sacramento’s agenda drive our decision-making. The bureau includes a “state worker” reporter who covers issues impacting roughly 90,000 state employees in Sacramento County. McClatchy Media’s journalists are encouraged to ethically harness artificial intelligence and other automation to enhance work, while finding efficiencies to support source-building and deeper reporting.
What You’ll Bring
A sense of urgency, knowing our team competes day-in and day-out with major news brands and top political reporters. Ability to shepherd journalists to meet audiences where they are geographically and technologically, and to write about high-impact topics that engage subscribers and attract new readers. Strong writing and editing skills, excellent news judgment and the ability to identify stories that matter to readers. Experience translating government documents, press conferences and hearings into readable English, and then presenting information through videos, graphics, maps and alternative formats. Understanding of open records laws and the ability to help reporters file and oversee requests. Understanding that coverage is people-focused and reaches those who need it most, including engagement with readers through live and virtual events and local newsletters. Experience obtaining government payrolls, contracts, and campaign-finance records. Understanding of digital publishing, online metrics and reader engagement, and how to use these tools to elevate projects. Commitment to representing the diversity of the community in coverage and staff. Ability to work across teams and communicate with newsroom stakeholders. Track record for innovation and learning new skills and technologies, especially AI. Leadership skills that bring out the best in journalists, with strong interpersonal skills and constructive feedback.
What You’ll Do
Oversee reporters covering the Legislature, the governor’s office, the California Congressional Delegation, the “state worker beat,” housing policies, the environment, immigration policy and the economy. Leverage AI tools and platforms to strengthen reporting and expand analytical capabilities. Find creative, audience-focused ways to tell political stories that connect with a wide range of readers. Embrace multimedia storytelling and collaborate with visual and data teams. Be accurate, fair and unbiased. Maintain an unflinching focus on the audience and strive to grow readership.
Additional Details
Given that the 2026 election cycle is underway, we will move quickly to fill this position. A degree in journalism or related field and a minimum of eight years of experience in a digitally oriented newsroom is required. Editing experience is preferred, but this role could also be a fit for a longtime reporter transitioning to editing. This position reports to the Assistant Managing Editor for Politics and Investigations. The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $85,000 and $105,000 a year. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience and relevant education.
To Apply
To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of high-quality work by you or teams you’ve managed.
What We’ll Bring
Ninety miles northeast of San Francisco and 100 miles southwest of Lake Tahoe, Sacramento is a vibrant capital city with a Mediterranean climate, a world-class food and music scene and numerous recreational opportunities. Our Bee office in East Sacramento lies within two miles of the Capitol, Midtown, Downtown and Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings. As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy offers an employee-focused benefits package that supports health, well-being, wealth and daily life, including healthcare coverage for employees and families, financial protection and mental health resources. The package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and holidays, plus other benefits. For more information, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.
About The McClatchy Media Company
The McClatchy Media Company features a portfolio of trusted news, lifestyle, and entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month across properties that include The Sacramento Bee and other McClatchy news brands.
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The Sacramento Bee seeks an experienced, innovative and energetic editor to oversee our team of reporters who deliver exclusive reporting on California politics, public policy and elections. We are looking for a leader who can guide coverage of campaign finance, lobbying, and the impact of national events on California, while building audience loyalty through high-quality journalism. This editor will oversee our Capitol Bureau, a group of six reporters who cover the government of the state and the California congressional delegation, and a range of beat coverage including the environment, housing and the state’s homeowners’ insurance crisis. Strong candidates will bring fresh ideas for producing a high volume of unique, relevant journalism to build reader loyalty and understand that publishing consistently and often helps grow an audience around core topics. Our journalism seeks to hold elected officials accountable for their promises and actions and to connect California coverage with the national political landscape. We aim to tell stories focused on readers in Greater Sacramento, the Central Valley and San Luis Obispo County, rather than letting Washington’s or Sacramento’s agenda drive our decision-making. The bureau includes a “state worker” reporter who covers issues impacting roughly 90,000 state employees in Sacramento County. McClatchy Media’s journalists are encouraged to ethically harness artificial intelligence and other automation to enhance work, while finding efficiencies to support source-building and deeper reporting.
What You’ll Bring
A sense of urgency, knowing our team competes day-in and day-out with major news brands and top political reporters. Ability to shepherd journalists to meet audiences where they are geographically and technologically, and to write about high-impact topics that engage subscribers and attract new readers. Strong writing and editing skills, excellent news judgment and the ability to identify stories that matter to readers. Experience translating government documents, press conferences and hearings into readable English, and then presenting information through videos, graphics, maps and alternative formats. Understanding of open records laws and the ability to help reporters file and oversee requests. Understanding that coverage is people-focused and reaches those who need it most, including engagement with readers through live and virtual events and local newsletters. Experience obtaining government payrolls, contracts, and campaign-finance records. Understanding of digital publishing, online metrics and reader engagement, and how to use these tools to elevate projects. Commitment to representing the diversity of the community in coverage and staff. Ability to work across teams and communicate with newsroom stakeholders. Track record for innovation and learning new skills and technologies, especially AI. Leadership skills that bring out the best in journalists, with strong interpersonal skills and constructive feedback.
What You’ll Do
Oversee reporters covering the Legislature, the governor’s office, the California Congressional Delegation, the “state worker beat,” housing policies, the environment, immigration policy and the economy. Leverage AI tools and platforms to strengthen reporting and expand analytical capabilities. Find creative, audience-focused ways to tell political stories that connect with a wide range of readers. Embrace multimedia storytelling and collaborate with visual and data teams. Be accurate, fair and unbiased. Maintain an unflinching focus on the audience and strive to grow readership.
Additional Details
Given that the 2026 election cycle is underway, we will move quickly to fill this position. A degree in journalism or related field and a minimum of eight years of experience in a digitally oriented newsroom is required. Editing experience is preferred, but this role could also be a fit for a longtime reporter transitioning to editing. This position reports to the Assistant Managing Editor for Politics and Investigations. The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $85,000 and $105,000 a year. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience and relevant education.
To Apply
To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of high-quality work by you or teams you’ve managed.
What We’ll Bring
Ninety miles northeast of San Francisco and 100 miles southwest of Lake Tahoe, Sacramento is a vibrant capital city with a Mediterranean climate, a world-class food and music scene and numerous recreational opportunities. Our Bee office in East Sacramento lies within two miles of the Capitol, Midtown, Downtown and Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings. As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy offers an employee-focused benefits package that supports health, well-being, wealth and daily life, including healthcare coverage for employees and families, financial protection and mental health resources. The package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and holidays, plus other benefits. For more information, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.
About The McClatchy Media Company
The McClatchy Media Company features a portfolio of trusted news, lifestyle, and entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month across properties that include The Sacramento Bee and other McClatchy news brands.
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