Steve Swatt
The Low Down on Upcoming
State and National Elections
Steve Swatt is a Sacramento-based public affairs consultant and former Managing Partner of Nelson Communications Group (which later merged with Porter Novelli International). Steve's talk will focus on the upcoming national and state elections (e.g. the prospects of Republican gains in the House and Senate, analysis of the California Governor's and U.S. Senate races and initiatives) as well as some commentary on the state of television news and its ability (or inability) to help the public make informed choices on important issues.
Previously, Steve spent 23 years at KCRA, Sacramento’s NBC affiliate, as its political reporter. He also contributed to NBC Nightly News, the NBC Today Show and various PBS political and public affairs programs. Before joining KCRA, Steve was a reporter for the San Francisco Examiner and United Press International.
While a broadcaster, Steve covered every major ballot proposition, presidential and gubernatorial campaign and ten presidential nominating conventions, as well as issues in the State Legislature and the activities of Governors Reagan, Brown, Deukmejian and Wilson.
For many years, Steve held the distinction of being California's only full-time television reporter covering the State Capitol. Steve's work has received acclaim from his peers and leading professional organizations. A partial list of his honors includes the Northern California Emmy Award, National Health Journalism Award, California State Bar Award, and several awards from the Society of Professional Journalists. The Sacramento Bee once referred to his election commentary as "the best on local television."
Steve currently hosts Comcast Newsmakers, a public affairs interview program that airs throughout Northern California. He is the author of Fair, Balanced…and Dead, a political mystery set at the State Capitol. Steve also has authored numerous articles in government and political publications and continues to provide political analysis for KCRA. For many years, Steve taught Political Communications and Issues Management at Sacramento State University. He has served on boards or in advisory capacities for numerous organizations, including the Alliance for Better Campaigns, California Conservation Corps Foundation, League of Women Voters, Sacramento Community Learning Advisory Board, and Cal State Sacramento Center for California Studies.
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