You often hear of journalists looking outside of media for new employment, but rarely do you hear of a writer looking to the electorate for a new job. But that's what John Dougherty has done.
Dougherty, an investigative reporter in Arizona, has decided to enter politics, running for Senate as a Democrat in the Grand Canyon State.
"I'll be 54 next month, and I felt that at this moment in time with the way the senate race was shaping up, that somebody with my background... in Arizona... would be a good candidate to run for the Senate right now," said Dougherty to the Yuma Sun newspaper.
A 25 year vet of the news industry that included stints at the Phoenix Gazette and the Phoenix New Times, Dougherty now works as a freelancer, writing for various organizations including the New York Times and the Washington Post. On Aug. 24, 2010, he'll face former Tuscon City Council member Rodney Glassman, former state Rep. Cathy Eden and attorney Randy Parraz in the Democratic primary.
One of the major issues in the 2010 AZ race will be immigration. Dougherty has actually investigated some of the state's major players on the front lines of immigration, including the controversial Maricopa County Sheriff, Joe Arpaio.
If he manages to pull off the upset in the Democratic primary, Dougherty will then face the winner of the Republican race, which pits Sen. John McCain and former Rep. and current radio talk show host J.D. Hayworth against each other.
Dougherty told Jilted Journalists that he will even hire investigative journalists if he wins the Senate, in order to uncover corruption within government.
However, Dougherty seems to understand his chances. "A politician has a Rolodex filled with people who owe him favors," said Dougherty to Jilted Journalists. "I have a Rolodex filled with people who are probably pissed off at me."
Will this hurt or help his career, if he fails to capture the Senate nod?
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Journalist Running for U.S. Senate in Arizona - mediabistro.com: MediaJobsDaily
via mediabistro.com
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