Industry News

WPRO-AM, Providence Produce/Host Bartholomew Mulls RI Lt. Governor Run

WPRO-AM, Providence producer and talk host Bill Bartholomew says he’s considering running for lieutenant governor in Rhode Island next year. According to a story in the Boston Globe, Bartholomewimg hasn’t committed to the run by opening a campaign account but confirms to the paper he’s seriously considering challenging incumbent Sabina Matos. The story notes that Matos’ 2023 run for congress was marred by a “signature-collecting scandal that led to a campaign worker being charged with a felony.” Bartholomew is the producer and sometimes fill-in host for WPRO’s “Dan Yorke Show.” See the Globe story here.

Industry News

Former WRVA, Richmond Host’s Path to Virginia Lt. Governor Nominee Solidifies

Back in January, John Reid left his post as host of the morning program on Audacy’s news/talk WRVA,img Richmond to run for lieutenant governor in Virginia. Now, his opponent for the Repubican nomination – Pat Herrity – has exited the race due to health issues. Reid is an unusual candidate in that he’s openly gay but a conservative Republican who says he’s “against boys in girls’ sports and the extreme trans-agenda being forced upon our children.” Prior to his work at WRVA, Reid once served as communications chief for then-Virginia Governor George Allen. WRVA named Rich Herrera host of the morning show last month.

Industry News

KSEV, Houston Owner Dan Patrick Profiled on KPRC-TV

Regular TALKERS readers and talk media industry watchers probably know that news/talk KSEV-AM, Houston owner Dan Patrick is also the Texas Lieutenant Governor. In fact, Patrick gave up his daily regular talk show to take on the lieutenant governor role. But that doesn’t prevent the veteran broadcasterimg from using his radio and TV skills to raise awareness of issues that are important to him. In a piece by KPRC-TV, Houston, Patrick’s efforts to draw attention to courier service lottery sales and legal marijuana in Texas via “amateur investigative-style videos” are highlighted. Patrick tells the station that his efforts are just for the sake of theatrics. “It’s not theatrics to say, ‘look at me.’ It’s theatrics to tell a story, so that people can connect with what we’re doing here and why we’re doing it.” He adds that most people are busy and don’t pay attention to the day-to-day goings-on at the state capitol. “Our job is to break through that.” See the entire piece here.