It's Election Night In The Bay Area And Too Bad Mark Curtis Isn't In The House On Local TV News Telling Us Who Will Win; Former KTVU Political Ace/Anchor Reporting In Providence

 Mark Curtis is the former anchor and ace political reporter for KTVU years back and is now featured on the ABC affiliate in Providence, RI.

Curtis was one of the best political reporters in town and his election night analysis was absolutely first rate.

He wrote a terrific book on the historic 2008 election. He singlehandedly picked nearly all the  states that Obama won in '08. Curtis is a seasoned pro and has a political Rolodex the size of Iowa. He's doing just fine and enjoying both his personal and professional life in the east but I know from people he'd love to be back in the Bay Area.

So why isn't he?

Is it because he's in his mid-50's, Caucasian, and such? I'd like to be wrong. I hope I am. (I'm not).

The Bay Area doesn't have a whole lot of astute political reporters on TV--hell, the Bay Area doesn't have many political reporters period! Yet, the Bay Area has a long and celebrated appreciation of all things political; John Burton, the fierce and hard-fought SF Mayoral elections and the gubernatorial races from Pete Wilson to Jerry Brown. We love our politics. It's a sort-of-passion even when there's a feeling that the turnout will be light, (like Tuesday night).

Mark Curtis reminds me a lot of the late, great, Rollin Post who was the political analyst for both KQED and KRON. Post's pontifications and election-night analysis and day-after summations were always appointment TV. Ditto Curtis, who is Peyton Manning with a keen ballot box perspective.


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Mark Curtis; ex-KTVU newser to WLNE/ABC Providence

CURTIS TO PROVIDENCE
“Veteran Newsman, Author and National Political Commentator Joins WLNE/ABC6 News Team

**Veteran news anchor, journalist and author Mark Curtis is joining WLNE-TV/ABC6 in Providence. Beginning January 9th, Curtis will anchor ABC6 News Weekends and join the station’s respected Investigative and Political Unit. The announcement was made today in Providence by WLNE-TV/ABC6 Vice President and General Manager Steve Doerr. “Mark brings a lot of journalistic firepower to our team,” Doerr said. "We're delighted to add someone of Mark's skill level and experience to our organization."

“I have lived all over the United States, from Wisconsin, to Florida, Washington, DC, to California. But New England is where it all began, this magical democracy that is the greatest nation on Earth,” Curtis stated. “I am a political junkie by trade, and to be here in New England, which has produced its share of U.S. Presidents, is the place to be for any true political reporter.”

A seasoned anchor and reporter, his wide range of experience includes nearly a decade as morning news anchor at KTVU-TV, the Fox affiliate in Oakland/San Francisco. Before that, he covered Washington, D.C. as Capital Correspondent for Cox Television.

“Mark’s journalistic experience, anchoring and reporting skills, and his in-depth insider knowledge of the political scene make him a tremendous addition to our news department,” noted ABC6 News Director BJ Finnell. “He brings the station a competitive edge no other local station can offer.”

Curtis is looking forward to his move from the West Coast. “I fell in love with Rhode Island when I visited Providence on my book tour this past summer. I am excited to call Rhode Island my new home.” Mark covered the 2008 Presidential campaign, traveling the country with the leading candidates of both parties as a blogger and political analyst. His book, “Age of Obama: A Reporter’s Journey with Clinton, McCain and Obama in the Making of the President 2008” was released Inaugural week 2009 by Nimble Books, Inc.

His passion for politics began in the early 90’s when he spent time as a Congressional Fellow, working in the House Judiciary Subcommittee of Rep. Charles Schumer, (D) New York, as well as for Senator Herb Kohl, (D) Wisconsin. His duties included planning for Congressional hearings, budget and issue research, developing press contacts and legislative strategies.

Mark grew up in Milwaukee and graduated with a degree in Broadcast Communication from Marquette University. He received a Masters Degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in Gainesville and is working toward completing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership at St. Mary’s College of California, in Moraga, by fall of 2010.


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