Nexstar hires former Fox political editor

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Nexstar’s NewsNation has hired a former Fox political editor to serve in the same role on its network.

Chris Stirewalt’s hire comes after NewsNation inked a deal with Decision Desk HQ to gain access to election data and exclusive polling results during the 2022 midterm primaries and general election.

In its announcement of Stirewalt’s hire, NewsNation did not note Stirewalt’s previous role at Fox’s conservative commentary channel until the fifth paragraph.

Despite NewsNation’s near constant efforts to market itself as a bias-free network and news source, hiring Stirewalt is noteworthy because the network already came under heat for hiring former Fox exec Bill Shine as a consultant early on, a fact that it kept mostly quiet.

Stirewalt has a record of being linked to conservative media, including The Washington Examiner.

NewsNation chief Michael Corn sang Stirewalt’s praises and alluded to his ability to help the network bring trustworthy coverage, another common thread in the channel’s marketing.

“Chris Stirewalt’s analytical abilities are the best in the business and his insights during election season will prove to be an invaluable resource for viewers,” Corn, is quoted as saying in a statement.

“We are honored to have Chris join our impressive talent roster which includes Pulitzer Prize winning senior contributor George Will, Washington, D.C. Bureau chief Mike Viqueira … With honest reporting and data analysis, along with up-to-the-minute results from Decision Desk HQ, we are building upon our mission at NewsNation to become the leader in election night coverage you can trust,” Corn’s statement continues.

Stirewalt is also the author of “Every Man a King: A Short Colorful History of American Populists,” a book that, according to its blurbs, examines public figures such as Ross Perot, Pat Buchanan and Donald Trump as well as Theodore Roosevelt, Andrew Jackson and William Jennings Bryan.

“American populism has always been home to a fascinating assortment of charismatic leaders, characters, kooks, cranks, and sometimes charlatans who have — with widely varying degrees of success — led the charge of ordinary folks who have gotten wise to the ways of the swamp,” reads a description of the book provided by the publisher, using the “swamp” term popularized by many right wing candidates in reference to traditional Washington, D.C.

“The 2022 midterms are drawing massive interest from voters, so there’s a tremendous need for analysis and forecasting that isn’t addled with partisan agendas,” Stirewalt said in NewsNation’s statement. “That’s why I’m so proud to be a part of NewsNation’s growing team. Our shared commitment is to being the first with election results, but never at the cost of accuracy or fairness.”