The Texas Observer is a nonprofit statewide media organization based in Austin. Since its founding in 1954, the Observer has covered important stories that would otherwise be underreported or ignored. We specialize in investigative reporting, tell-it-like-it-is political coverage, and narrative storytelling. The Observer publishes a bimonthly print magazine and produces daily stories at texasobserver.org.
The Observer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, political affiliation, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.
Jobs & Fellowships
2026 ELECTIONS INTERNSHIP
The Texas Observer is hiring for an intern to cover the 2026 elections in Texas for a six-month period, from May through November. The Observer’s Elections Internship program is for student journalists—most likely upper-level students with some experience—whose career goals will be furthered by the front-row experience of reporting on a high-octane election cycle.
The intern will report to the Observer’s News & Politics Editor, Justin Miller, who will guide the intern in tracking individual races and broader trends, cultivating sources, developing stories, and so forth. Coverage of the 2026 elections will include both the primary runoffs in May and general elections in November and will feature a range of marquee races—from U.S. Senate and Texas governor to state legislators and county judges.
The ideal candidate will be based in Austin and have an interest in and familiarity with Texas politics and politics/campaign reporting. The intern may be expected to provide some live reporting from the campaign trail on social media. Miller and other Observer editors will help the intern identify stories in the whirlwind of campaign season. The intern should aim to publish between 12-24 stories over the course of the election season.
The intern will be expected to occasionally travel on the campaign trail across the state and should have access to reliable car transportation. (All travel expenses will be paid or reimbursed by the Observer.)
The estimated workload is 20 hours per week, which can be done through a mix of remote and in-office work. The intern will receive a monthly stipend of $1,000-1,200, paid semi-monthly (exact amount to be determined prior to beginning work). The internship may be done for course credit.
The Observer is a nonprofit statewide magazine based in Austin. Since 1954, the Observer has covered important stories that go under-reported or ignored by the mainstream media. We specialize in investigative reporting, tell-it-like-it-is political coverage, and narrative storytelling. We publish a bimonthly print magazine and produce daily stories at texasobserver.org.
The Observer works to hold public officials and corporations accountable and focuses on communities whose stories are too often ignored or poorly told—including people of color, people from working-class backgrounds, women, and LGBTQ+ people. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do; hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities.
To apply: email a résumé, cover letter, and your three best clips to [email protected] with the subject line: “2026 Elections Internship.” Tell us about any specific races, issues, and angles you’re interested in covering, and why.
The deadline to apply is December 31, 2025.
Details
- May to November 2026
- 20 hours/week, $1,000-1,200 monthly stipend
- Location: in or near Austin
- Output of 12-24 total stories
- Program designed for advanced undergraduates
Pitch to Us
Please click here to access the Observer’s complete pitch guide.