From the Press Risers: My Experience Covering Spanberger’s GOTV Rally

JONNIKA KWON - The crowd went wild, waving American flags and “Spanberger for Virginia” signs as Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner took to the stage. However, up in the press section, reporters remained seated and silent. Some pulled out their phones to record the event while others rapidly took pictures, hoping to capture the moment. 

I’ve always wondered what it’s like to be a campaign reporter following a candidate as they zigzag across a state. On November 2, I experienced a sneak peek into that world as I stepped into the shoes of a political journalist. I had the opportunity to receive press credentials for Rep. Abigail Spanberger’s get-out-the-vote rally in Falls Church with Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. Taking place just two days before the election, this was an event filled with energy and enthusiasm. 

My press credentials (Photo via Jonnika Kwon)

I arrived around 3:20 p.m. – over two hours before the rally was set to begin – hoping to have plenty of time to interview the journalists on site. As I waited with other members of the press to receive my credentials, I tried to work up the courage to ask them a few questions. My nerves increased when I spotted the iconic CNN label on one of the cameras. However, despite my initial trepidation, everyone I spoke with was kind and willing to chat.

Press set up before the event (Photo via Jonnika Kwon)

I began by interviewing Greg Nash, a photojournalist for The Hill. I then spoke with Veronica Stracqualursi, the Capitol Hill Producer for CNN, though she wasn’t able to directly engage with my questions due to CNN’s policy about giving comments on the record. 

Besides campaign staff, members of the press were the first people allowed into the venue. Upon entering the building, I was directed to the seating area for the print journalists. After settling in, I approached another journalist to introduce myself, Mabinty Quarshie, a writer for the Washington Examiner and a former USA Today journalist. Also, she was a Georgetown alumna! We had an engaging discussion about the challenges campaign journalists face and the common misconceptions the public holds about the media. 

Later, I interviewed Jarred Serre, a reporter with both ARLnow, a local newspaper that serves Arlington and Falls Church, and FFXnow, which covers Fairfax County. Serre pointed to the recent demonization of the press as one of the greatest challenges facing campaign journalists today. When I asked him what he wished the public understood about his job, he said, “ Not everyone is in it to push an agenda. A lot of us really just want to genuinely inform people.”

My final interview was with Eugene Dionne, a longtime Washington Post columnist, contributor to NPR, and Georgetown professor.  Professor Dionne was a guest lecturer in my public policy class a few weeks ago, so I recognized him instantly. As a veteran of campaign journalism, Dionne offered deep insights into how the field has evolved and the challenges it faces today. He reflected on the decline in the presence of local newspapers, describing them as “one of the really powerful forces building community in a country that really needs more of it not less of it.” 

Left to right: Senator Tim Kaine, Rep. Abigail Spanberger, Senator Mark Warner (Photo via Jonnika Kwon)

Attending the rally as a member of the press felt completely different from my previous experiences at political events. Though the crowd might erupt in cheers, the press must remain composed and avoid any show of bias; for myself, that meant fighting the natural instinct to clap on several occasions. Additionally, Journalists must constantly scan for newsworthy quotes and images to capture the essence of an event. As Serre explained to me, it’s about more than just the candidate themselves. Reporters seek to capture the entire event including the crowd and the atmosphere as a whole. 

Overall, stepping into the role of a campaign journalist for the evening was an exciting and revelatory experience. I’ve been to several political rallies and events from the standpoint of an attendee, but never as a member of the press. Speaking with journalists of various backgrounds gave me greater insights into the challenges they face and how the industry is actively evolving alongside American politics.

Jonnika Kwon ‘29 is studying public policy in the CAS. She is from Seattle, Washington.