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Jessica Taylor is the Senate Editor for the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and recently made history as the first woman to be a Senior Author for the Almanac of American Politics. Jessica talks her small-town Tennessee roots, her path to political journalism, her early thoughts on the 2022 Senate map, and a deep-dive into both the history of The Almanac and her ground-breaking role at that hallowed institution.

IN THIS EPISODE…

Jessica traces her interest in political journalism to both her mother and father…

How a neighbor from Arkansas made an important impact on a 7-year old Jessica…

Jessica’s first job working at her local paper…

Jessica’s career goals take shape at Furman University…

Advice Jessica gives to young aspiring journalists…

Jessica’s controversial tenure as editor of her college paper…

Jessica’s first job in DC political journalism…

Jessica talks her time working with both Stu Rothenberg and Charlie Cook…

Jessica shares a memorable “candidate interview” from a now high-profile elected official…

Jessica explains the “race ratings” that are a big part of her job…

Jessica’s early take on the 2022 Senate map…

Jessica talks the history of the Almanac of American Politics…

A couple of Jessica’s favorite details she’s learned researching for The Almanac…

AND…Lamar Alexander, John Armstrong, Judy Bainbridge, Michael Barone, Cheri Beasley, Ted Budd, Richard Burr, Bill Cassidy, Bill Clinton, Rich Cohen, Roy Cooper, Ted Cruz, Howard Dean, Val Demings, David Dewhurst, Doug Ducey, Jennifer Duffy, John Edwards, The Elizabethton Star, Ally Flinn, Friday Night Lights, Nathan Gonzales, Jeff Jackson, Meg Kinnard, Kristin Kobes du Mez, Charlie Mahtesian, Pat McCrory, nationaljournal.com, the New York Times, The Paladin, David Perdue, Rob Portman, Kyrsten Sinema, Grant Ujifusa, Herschel Walker, Amy Walter, Dave Wasserman, the Watergate Building, William Rehnquist, & MORE!