After 18 years with Salem Communications and more than 15 years as Political Editor at Townhall, the author announces his departure, reflects on career milestones, thanks mentors and colleagues, and points readers to continued work on Fox News, his radio program, and his X account.
Dear Readers, I’m writing to let you know I’m moving on after 18 years with Salem Communications, the company that owns this site. I began as a local radio producer and weekend host in Chicago and that early work led to contributions at Townhall. A few years later I relocated to the Washington, DC area to take on a larger role, and that move set the course for the rest of my career.
For more than 15 years I served as Political Editor here, offering reporting, commentary and analysis on political news and world events. It’s startling how quickly a decade-and-a-half can pass when you’re covering so much — from the rise of the Tea Party in opposition to the Obama presidency to Donald Trump’s second term in office. Covering those shifts and the broader political landscape has been a privilege and a daily challenge I relished.
I’m grateful to Marcus Brown and Dave Santrella for taking a chance on me as a 22-year-old just out of college. I cannot adequately express my appreciation for the great Hugh Hewitt, who gave me a national platform long before I’d earned one and who has been a cherished mentor. I also want to thank Jonathan Garthwaite for bringing me aboard full-time here at Townhall in 2010 and for being a strong leader ever since.
Over the years I’ve been lucky to work with fantastic colleagues who made the newsroom a better place every day. I’ll think back fondly on my time alongside Kevin, Chris, Christine, Dan, Leah, Storm, Matt, Micah, Rebecca, Conor, and so many others (my apologies for leaving anyone out). To my dear friend Katie Pavlich, who has also recently stepped away: Congratulations on the legacy you’ve built, the leadership you’ve demonstrated, and the prodigious amount of work you’ve done.
And finally, to our audience, “thank you.” Thank you for reading, sharing, and commenting on my work over these many years, and thank you for encouragement as well as disagreement, both polite and pointed. It has been a genuine pleasure serving Townhall‘s readers for as long as I had the opportunity to do so, and I appreciate every minute of it. If you want to follow what I’m doing next, I’ll continue appearing on Fox News, hosting my radio program, and posting on X.
Transitions like this feel big even if they’re expected, and I’m leaving with a lot of gratitude and a stack of memories. The newsroom taught me how to meet deadlines, argue the point, and listen when the facts demanded it. Those lessons will stick with me as I take on new work and new challenges.
I’m proud of the reporting and commentary I produced here, and proud that a small hometown start in Chicago led to a national platform. The past 18 years have included highs and lows, but what I’ll remember most is the people — mentors, colleagues, and readers — who made the work meaningful. So, for now, a simple send-off: ‘stay tuned!’
Onward,
GB
