12:35 pm - January 16, 2026
- John Harris steps back from daily management, focuses on strategy and growth
- Matthew Kaminski takes over as editor in chief, bringing international expertise
- Move signals Politico’s bid to strengthen its US and global influence in competitive media environment
In a significant leadership change at Politico, founding editor in chief John F. Harris is stepping away from day-to-day newsroom management, with global editor Matthew Kaminski set to take charge of the US operation.
The transition, announced today, signals a generational shift for Politico more than a decade after its launch helped redefine political journalism in Washington. It reflects an organisation seeking continuity in its core coverage while repositioning itself for a more competitive and international media environment.
Harris, who co-founded Politico in 2007 with Jim VandeHei, will remain at the company as founding editor. In the new role he will focus on long-term strategy and expansion, stepping back from the daily news cycle he has overseen since the publication’s early days.
Kaminski, who becomes editor in chief, has served as Politico’s global editor and previously led the launch of its European edition. A former Wall Street Journal reporter, he is widely credited with giving the organisation a stronger international outlook, a background that now shapes his promotion.
“Matt has proven himself as a leader with tireless ambition,” said owner Robert Allbritton in a memo to staff.
Kaminski will now run the US newsroom, charged with sustaining Politico’s dominance in Beltway coverage while guiding the publication through its next stage of growth.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/07/17/politico-john-harris-kaminski/ – This article reports that John F. Harris, co-founder of Politico, is returning as the publication’s global editor-in-chief, replacing Matthew Kaminski, who will become editor-at-large focusing on writing and strategic projects.
- https://www.thewrap.com/john-harris-replace-matt-kaminski-politico/ – This piece details the leadership change at Politico, with John Harris stepping into the role of global editor-in-chief and Matthew Kaminski transitioning to editor-at-large.
- https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/politico-john-harris-chairman-searches-for-new-editor-in-chief/ – This article discusses John Harris’s move to chairman and the search for a new editor-in-chief at Politico, highlighting the company’s strategic direction.
- https://washingtonian.com/2023/07/17/politicos-top-editor-steps-down/ – This report covers the departure of Matt Kaminski as Politico’s U.S. editor-in-chief and the appointment of John Harris as global editor-in-chief.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/03/09/politico-dafna-linza-departs/ – This article details the abrupt departure of Dafna Linzer as Politico’s executive editor, citing a clash of vision with editor-in-chief Matt Kaminski.
- https://www.thewrap.com/politico-executive-editor-dafna-linzer-leaves-over-clash-of-vision-with-editor-in-chief-matt-kaminski/ – This piece reports on Dafna Linzer’s resignation as executive editor of Politico, following a reported clash of vision with editor-in-chief Matt Kaminski.
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