Nevada Matters & So Does Jon Ralston

No journalist defines his or her state's politics like Jon Ralston and Nevada. Jon's been deep in Nevada politics since the early 80s, rising from the the night police beat to his state's foremost voice on politics. In this conversation, Jon talks through his ascent in Nevada politics, some of the most memorable races and personalities he's covered, the "math" behind today's Nevada elections, and the gamble he took to start his own news non-profit, The Nevada Indpendent. Great episode for anyone interested in politics and political journalism.

Podcast Website
Twitter: @ProPoliticsPod
Twitter: @ZacMcCrary
Facebook: The Pro Politics Podcast

IN THIS EPISODE…

The one political sign Jon remembers in his yard as a kid…

The writer that a young Jon wanted to emulate…

Jon’s first beat in Las Vegas is on the nightly crime beat…

How Jon fell in love with politics a few years into his career in Las Vegas…

What happened when Jon almost left Nevada after the 1986 elections and why he stayed…

Jon talks about the 1986 race that launched Harry Reid’s Senate career…

Jon’s talks the math behind the “three different states” of Nevada politics…

What is the Reid Machine and how does it work so well…?

The time Harry Reid called in live on-air to correct Jon…

Jon breaks down how the gaming industry influences Nevada politics…

Jon talks the influence of the Culinary Union…

Jon’s early thoughts on the 2022 Governor and Senate races…

Jon riffs on the right pronunciation of Nevada…

Jon’s wake-up call to how politics works in the newspaper business…

Jon gambles by starting his own journalism outlet, the Nevada Independent, in 2016…

The one quality Jon learned is vital in both journalism and running his own business…

Jon breaks down his notoriously dogged TV interview style…

The one compliment Jon loves getting from viewers…

Jon’s hidden gem restaurant recommendation in Vegas…

 ALSO… Sheldon Adelson, Joe Biden, Catherine Cortez Masto, the Clark County Firewall, Bill Clinton, Ned Day, John Ensign, Brian Greenspun, Kenny Guinn, Rebecca Lambe, Adam Laxalt, Paul Laxalt, Carl Levin, Frank McCulloch, Barack Obama, rabble-rousers and nastygrams, Ronald Reagan, Don Reynolds, Jim Santini, Sinclair Broadcasting, Steve Sisolak, Red Smith, Tony Spilotro, Bob Stoldal, the University of Buffalo, Larry Wallace…AND MORE!

Podcast Website
Twitter: @ProPoliticsPod
Twitter: @ZacMcCrary
Facebook: The Pro Politics Podcast