Bluegrass Politics: Meet the Herald-Leader journalist covering KY political scene

As Kentucky’s political scene heats up, Herald-Leader journalist Austin Horn is shifting to a new, more prominent role covering all the action.

Horn, who has been tracking Kentucky politics and state government since 2021, will report on the state’s Congressional delegation and federal elections as the newspaper’s new senior politics reporter.

The promotion represents the Herald-Leader’s commitment to providing unparalleled political coverage of Kentucky — from the statehouse and the campaign trail to the White House and Congress, Executive Editor Richard Green said.

“I’m proud of our team’s commitment to covering the commonwealth’s political scene better than any other Kentucky media site,” he said. “Austin is a native Kentuckian who has spent three-and-a-half years reporting and analyzing the biggest stories involving legislators, governors and taxpayers.

“He now takes that focus and experience to the national political beat, putting in sharp focus what unfolds in Washington and what it means to Kentuckians,” Green added. “It’s a well-earned promotion that makes our political content even more consequential.”

Horn, 28, is an award-winning reporter with deep ties to the commonwealth.

Born in Eastern Kentucky and raised mostly in Versailles, he comes from a family that has lived in the commonwealth — primarily in their native Martin County — for hundreds of years and is no stranger to politics. He wrote a story three years ago detailing the political career of his grandmother, the former circuit court clerk in Martin County.

In his role as politics reporter, Horn has shined light on the inner-workings of Frankfort and held its elected officials accountable.

He’s upped the ante on scrutiny of Kentucky’s most powerful politicians — from the the governor himself to the secretary of state and legislative leaders, to a dogged investigation with fellow Herald-Leader reporter Alex Acquisto on the behavior of Rep. Daniel Grossberg towards women.

Horn also has published insightful enterprise reporting on Kentucky’s political quirks and climate disasters in the east and west.

He’s also regularly helped readers understand the nuts and bolts of Frankfort and the state political realm with revelatory journalism on the legislative process, reporting on lobbying trends, a series on unelected Kentuckians with power and more.

Horn said he is excited to move into his new role at the Herald-Leader.

“Washington can often feel distant, but my aim is to make what’s happening there — whether it be notable executive orders or behind-the-scenes Congressional horse trading — accessible to all Kentuckians,” he said. “I plan to investigate and hold our elected officials accountable, but also to help readers hold those in power accountable through sharp explanatory journalism.

“But beyond all the justifications for this work: it’s straight-up fun and meaningful to me to be providing a needed service for my home state. I hope that shines through in my reporting.”

As part of his new role, Horn will launch Kentucky Politics Insider, an analysis of the latest news and behind-the-scenes action involving politicians, campaigns and candidates. Look for Kentucky Politics Insider to appear every-other Tuesday, with occasional bonus editions in particularly newsy times.

The Herald-Leader has begun searching for a new state politics reporter to join its Bluegrass Politics team.

That team is comprised of Horn; Acquisto, the politics and health reporter; accountability reporter John Cheves; and Tessa Duvall, the Herald-Leader’s politics and public affairs editor.

Bluegrass Politics also publishes a free weekly newsletter each Wednesday, rounding up the latest must-read politics and government news from around the commonwealth.

Duvall said Horn’s proven successes on the Frankfort beat show he’s ready for a new challenge.

“Austin is a talented reporter who has a lot of knowledge of and passion for covering Kentucky,” Duvall said. “It is increasingly difficult to hold politicians and other powerful people accountable while also maintaining their — sometimes begrudging — respect. And yet, he does.

“Our readers benefit from Austin’s deep sourcing and the trust he has built over several years covering Kentucky politics.”

Prior to joining the Herald-Leader, Horn worked at the Frankfort State Journal and as a Kroc Fellow at NPR in Washington.

Austin has won several statewide awards for his coverage of the legislature and other powerful Kentucky politicians.

This story was originally published April 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM.