Sun’s Jon Ralston named to ‘50 Politicos to Watch’ list

By Cristina Chang

Friday, July 13, 2012 | 2 a.m.

Politico, a Washington-based multimedia organization that covers American politics, has named Las Vegas Sun columnist and television host Jon Ralston to its “50 Politicos to Watch” list for 2012.

Ralston, who has covered politics for the Sun since 2000 and is host of the public affairs television show “Face to Face With Jon Ralston,” joins a list that includes Susan Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and actress Sarah Jessica Parker.

The list recognizes up-and-coming political players whom the public may not have yet heard about, said Anne Cronin, deputy managing editor of Politico.

“It’s not going to be people like Barack Obama,” Cronin said. “It’s people whom you should be paying attention to if you are not already.”

Ralston, 53, is listed in the category of “Swing State Media Players” and is one of only five journalists to make the list.

Politico correspondents and editors — many of whom have referred to Ralston’s reporting, quoted him in their pieces and linked to his work — recommended him for inclusion on the list.

“There’s no doubt that this prolific political journalist is at the top of his game for anyone interested in the increasingly important — and entertaining — state of Nevada,” Politico says of Ralston.

Other honorees on the list include Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, actress Eva Longoria, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.