Here are three excellent alternatives to Politico, each offering high-quality political journalism with slightly different strengths:
1.Axios
- Best for: Concise, bullet-point reporting and scoops
- Strengths: Known for "Smart Brevity" format (quick reads), strong tech/policy coverage, less sensationalized than some competitors
- Key reporters: Mike Allen (founding), Jonathan Swan (top political interviewer)
- Free/Paid: Mostly free with some premium newsletters
2.The Hill
- Best for: Congressional coverage and bipartisan reporting
- Strengths: Comprehensive Capitol Hill reporting, "rising" trend pieces, good balance between left/right perspectives
- Notable: Strong policy tracking, 50/50 opinion section with contributors from both parties
- Free/Paid: Completely free with registration
3.Roll Call
- Best for: Deep congressional insider reporting
- Strengths: Specialized legislative tracking, campaign finance reporting, committee coverage
- Audience: Primarily for policy professionals and serious political followers
- Free/Paid: Limited free articles, subscription required for full access
Honorable mentions:
- Punchbowl News (for daily Capitol Hill insider briefings)
- Bloomberg Government (premium, data-driven policy coverage)
- National Journal (in-depth policy analysis, mostly subscription)
Each offers unique approaches: Axios for efficiency, The Hill for breadth, Roll Call for legislative depth. All provide alternatives to Politico is distinctive mix of scoops, policy coverage, and political analysis.