Another Colorado political reporter is leaving the industry, and this time the evacuee is the go-to source for Western Slope legislative news.
Mike Saccone, political reporter for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel and writer of the Sentinel's well-read "Political Notebook" blog, has accepted a job as communications director for the Colorado Attorney General John Suthers, ending a three-year stint at the Western Slope's largest daily newspaper.
Saccone replaces Nate Strauch, who recently accepted a position as flak for the Colorado Oil and Gas Association.
..."The position at the Attorney General's Office is a great opportunity to me. Plain and simple," Saccone told The Colorado Statesman. "I look forward to continuing to serve and inform the people of the state of Colorado from my new perch."
Saccone broke many statewide political stories in 2008, including the revelation that - while working for Denver-based Aspect Energy - Bob Schaffer, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, had lobbied to secure oil production contracts in Iraq. The U.S. State Department had deemed those contracts, "problematic for Iraq and its attempts to establish a national oil policy."
Saccone's coverage of the Legislature - and particularly of legislation affecting the Western Slope - put him in the front ranks among Colorado political reporters.
Thanks Mike, from a die-hard political news junkie and Western Slope denizen. Your reporting will be missed.
