Washington Post political correspondent to present opening convocation

Celebrating the opening of the 2019-20 academic year, Washington Post national political correspondent James Hohmann will present Carleton College’s opening convocation on Monday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel. In college tradition, the assembly will be preceded by Carleton’s academic procession, including all current and emeriti faculty.

A native of Apple Valley, Minn., Hohmann earned a B.A. with honors in history from Stanford University. He got his start in journalism as editor-in-chief and president of The Stanford Daily, where he introduced podcasts and blogging. He wrote an award-winning thesis about the 1976 Republican primaries and the political ascendancy of Ronald Reagan. In June 2006, he was a summer intern on the education team at the San Jose Mercury News, and also interned as a staff writer for the Dallas Morning News.

Later, in the Washington bureau of the Los Angeles Times, Hohmann wrote about Congress, the White House and the 2008 presidential campaign. He started on the Washington Post’s metro desk in 2008, covering local news. In 2009, Hohmann joined the staff of Politico, covering national politics including the U.S. Congress, lobbying, media and the presidency. He covered Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, and was the primary beat reporter for the 2014 gubernatorial and U.S. Senate contests.

In 2015, Hohmann returned to the Washington Post to serve as national political correspondent. He is the author of the Post’s political newsletter, “The Daily 202,” which is considered to be the must-read morning briefing for decision-makers. He is also the voice of its affiliated “Big Idea” audio briefing that analyzes the biggest political stories of the day. 

Opening convocation is sponsored by Carleton College Events. For more information, including disability accommodations, call (507) 222-4308. The Skinner Memorial Chapel is located at First and College Streets in Northfield.