Meet the Host
OF WCNY’S THE CAPITOL PRESSROOM AND CONNECT NY By David Lombardo Host of The Capitol Pressroom and CONNECT NY
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hen my mom watches me on television, whether I'm hosting a panel discussion, moderating a debate, or serving as a talking head, she will often remark on the smile that I flash on screen. A smile that portrays just how much fun I’m having. It’s that same smile (with teeth that I don’t like to bare for posed pictures) that’s also on my face while conducting interviews as host of WCNY’s “The Capitol Pressroom,” a daily radio program covering state government.
In the ensuing years, whether as a newspaper reporter or as a radio host, I’ve tried to capture the significance of life at the Capitol. I’ve learned to not shy away from the seedy political underbelly, colorful characters, and human interests that drive our state’s policies.
I just can’t help how happy it makes me to talk about politics and government. That’s why I feel so lucky to have been entrusted back in 2019 with the reins of “The Capitol Pressroom,” and given a chance to become the face of “CONNECT NY” earlier this year. For me, these are opportunities to satiate my natural curiosity. For the viewers and listeners this means these platforms will be a space for probing questions (and follow ups) that try to illuminate the intersection of government, and the lives of New Yorkers.
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My goal is to instill that same spirit into “CONNECT NY," as we provide monthly coverage of broad topics through the lens of state government and New York politics. We’re going to have in-depth panel discussions with thoughtful legislators and stakeholders. We will also bring you one-on-one interviews with important decision makers, including members of the governor’s cabinet.
I feel so lucky to have been entrusted
back in 2019 with the reins of “The
At this point in my life, with everything that’s constantly happening in New York, I can’t imagine anything more fun than striving to deliver on that vision for “The Capitol Pressroom” and “CONNECT NY.” I hope you’ll be watching and listening along with me, so we can smile together, and all that important stuff about being informed too.
Capitol Pressroom,” and given a chance
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to become the face of “CONNECT NY” earlier this year.
It’s all meaty substance, but if I’m being honest about why it’s fun for me, and why I have the energy to do about 20 interviews a week, it’s because of the political and personal drama, which New York is full of. My addiction to this recurring, real-life soap opera began in 2009 when I was an intern for the student-run Legislative Gazette. I had a front row seat to the debacle that was known as the “Senate Coup,” a political stalemate that was dominated by a cast of misfit politicians and surreal moments. State politics are still recovering from the experience, which was intriguing for me as a recent political science major from SUNY Geneseo.
It's the intersection with state government that is most meaningful to me, because it’s traditionally overshadowed by the political intrigue in Washington D.C., or the latest drama in our local governments. Both institutions are tremendously important, but it’s been my experience over the last 13 years that the state Capitol is where the rubber hits the road. It was policymakers in Albany who legalized samesex marriage, banned fracking in New York, overhauled the gambling landscape, green lit the Mario M. Cuomo bridge (that you might still call the Tappan Zee), approved the sale of recreational marijuana, curtailed the use of cash bail, set pandemic restrictions, and raised the minimum wage.
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Regardless of whether you love these decisions or hate them, they have dramatically influenced life in the Empire State. Each weekday on “The Capitol Pressroom,” we dive into the weeds of these decisions, conducting in-depth interviews with state lawmakers, executive agency officials, activists, and my fellow reporters embedded in the Capitol. The goal is to understand the decisions being made, ideas being debated, and plans being formulated for the future.
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C Wendler at the Democratic state convention A. B David Lombardo and The Capitol Pressroom producer Peter B. David Lombardo and New York GOP Party Chair Nick Langworthy at the Republican state convention C. David Lombardo on the set of CONNECT NY at WCNY studios
