John Avalon stands out as a prominent figure in American media and politics, recognized for his insightful journalism, impactful authorship, and dedicated public service. His career spans across diverse roles, from being an award-winning journalist and author to a respected news anchor and media executive. Currently hosting the solutions-oriented podcast “How to Fix It” on The Bulwark and serving as Chairman of Citizens Union, John Avalon continues to contribute significantly to public discourse and civic engagement.
Avalon’s extensive career is marked by significant achievements in various domains. He is widely recognized for his tenure as a CNN senior political analyst and anchor, and for his impactful leadership as the editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast. Furthermore, his commitment to public service is evident through his current role as the 2024 Democratic congressional nominee in New York’s First District. This multifaceted career underscores John Avalon’s dedication to informing the public and fostering constructive dialogue.
As an author, John Avalon has penned six critically acclaimed books. These include Lincoln and the Fight for Peace and Washington’s Farewell, both of which showcase his deep understanding of American history and political thought. His early career included serving as chief speechwriter for New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a role that placed him at the heart of significant historical moments, most notably the aftermath of the September 11th attacks. John Avalon and his team were tasked with the solemn responsibility of writing eulogies for the firefighters and police officers who perished in the World Trade Center tragedy. His poignant essay, “The Resilient City,” reflecting on the attacks, was lauded as “the single best essay written in the wake of 9/11.”
John Avalon’s journalistic excellence has been consistently recognized throughout his career. In 2012, he received the National Society of Newspaper Columnists award for best online columnist, acknowledging his sharp analysis and engaging writing style. During his leadership at The Daily Beast from 2013 to 2018, the site experienced remarkable growth, more than doubling its daily readership to over one million and earning 17 journalism awards. More recently, in 2023, John Avalon’s CNN digital series “Reality Check” was honored with the New York Press Club award for best TV commentary, further solidifying his reputation as a leading media commentator.
His literary contributions extend beyond historical analysis into contemporary political commentary. John Avalon’s first book, Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics, was celebrated as a crucial examination of the often-overlooked centrist voters in American politics. Wingnuts: How The Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America also garnered significant attention, praised by President Bill Clinton for its insightful analysis of the extreme elements shaping political discourse. Furthermore, the Deadline Artists anthologies, co-edited by John Avalon, have been hailed as exceptional collections of newspaper journalism, recognized for their depth and quality.
John Avalon’s books on historical figures have also received widespread acclaim. Washington’s Farewell was lauded for its timely exploration of George Washington’s wisdom, while Lincoln & the Fight for Peace was recognized as a relevant and powerful portrayal of Lincoln for modern times, earning accolades as one of the best books of the year from publications like The New York Times and Vanity Fair.
A sought-after commentator, John Avalon has made numerous appearances on prominent television programs such as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Real Time with Bill Maher, and The Daily Show, as well as major news networks including CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR, and C-SPAN. He has also contributed to documentaries, including CNN’s Lincoln: Divided We Stand and HBO’s Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists, further extending his reach and influence.
John Avalon is a vocal advocate for fostering a strong center in American politics. He frequently speaks at universities and civic organizations, promoting reasoned discourse and common-sense solutions. His commitment to public service is further demonstrated through his chairmanship of Citizens Union of New York and his co-presidency of the Steinbeck Writer’s Retreat. He also serves on the boards of The Overseas Press Club and the Theodore Roosevelt Association. Notably, in 2010, John Avalon co-founded No Labels, a bipartisan group aimed at promoting political problem-solving in Congress.
Described as someone who “talks about politics the way ESPN anchors wrap up sports highlights,” John Avalon is admired for his ability to articulate a common-sense, middle-path approach to political issues. He is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Business School. His marriage to Margaret Hoover, host of PBS’s Firing Line, is seen as an example of bridging divides in a polarized political landscape. John Avalon currently resides in Sag Harbor, New York, with his family, continuing his multifaceted career dedicated to informing and engaging the American public.
