Explaining what happens when ‘celebrity journalists’ run for elected office

Abstract

This article examines the concept of the ‘political celebrity’ through a consideration of career change from journalism to politics. The celebrity appeal of well-known journalists should make them ideal election candidates, particularly given the importance in contemporary politics of public profile and communication skills. While individuals with backgrounds in the media and journalism dominate the advisor ranks in politics, few decide to directly participate in political life by contesting for elected office. This article uses a specific case study to show the distinct ‘coverage bonus’ accruing to a ‘celebrity journalist’ seeking to transition into the world of elected politics. We are able to make a particular contribution to the literature on celebrity politics by focusing on this specific area of celebrity, and in our discussion we explore reasons why so few celebrity journalists exploit their specific campaign advantages in seeking public office.