There’s been quite a buzz on social media about QU Professor Ben Bogardis’ op-ed “Stop the Newsroom to Government Revolving Door” with many people opining over which political party has benefited more from this revolving door. To try to settle the debate, we at The Laurel have come up with a completely unscientific, and we’re sure not at all exhaustive, list of media members turned spokespeople, along with employer party affiliation:
- Judd Everhart (AP)– Governor M. Jodi Rell (R)
- Lisa Marie Pane (AP) – Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) Lisa returned to the AP after her tour of duty
- Donna Tommelleo (AP) – Governor M. Jodi Rell (R)
- Dennis Schain (Courant) – Governor M. Jodi Rell (R)
- Michelle Jacklin (Courant) – New Haven Mayor John DeStefano (D)
- Patty McQueen (JI, Stamford Advocate, Greenwich Time) – House Dems, Clinton/Gore (D)
- Gary Kleeblatt (JI)– House Democrats (D)
- Dan Tapper (JI) – Senate Dems (D)
- Chris Hoffman (NH Register) – Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D)
- Tara Downes (NH Register) – Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D)
- Chris Healy (Torrington Register Citizen) – State GOP Chairman (R)
- Jamison Bazinet (Waterbury Republican American) – House GOP (R)
- Pat O’Neill (Danbury News Times) – House GOP (R)
- MJC Alumn, Dean Pagani (WPOP) – Governor Rowland (R)
- Lloyd Wimbish (WPOP/WKND) – Senate Democrats (D)
- Derek Slap (NBC CT) – Senate Democrats (D)Derek is now Senator Slap, a D representing the 5th Senate District
- Jodi Latina (WTNH) – Linda McMahon’s US Senate campaign (R)
- Chris Collibee (WFSB) – Governor Malloy (D)
- Max Reiss (NBC30) – Governor Lamont (D)
If you’re keeping score, that’s 8 who became spokespeople for Republicans, and 11 who went to the Democrats. We’d call that a tie, and say the revolving door is pretty bi-partisan.
