WIRED Added Senior Writer for Politics Desk
Tess Owen will cover the intersection of money and technology in politics from the publication's New York office.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People
WIRED has hired Tess Owen as a senior writer to join its politics desk. She began the role in the New York office on October 5, 2026.
Why it matters
Her appointment signals a focus on the convergence of financial and political interests in technology, a sector where regulatory and funding shifts increasingly impact operators.
The hiring of a senior writer follows a career transition from the Wall Street Journal and Vice, marking an addition to the current WIRED politics desk staff. Specific terms of the compensation or the total headcount increase for the department are unknown.
The players
Tess Owen
A journalist formerly with the Wall Street Journal and Vice who reports on extremism and politics.
WIRED
A publication owned by Condé Nast that focuses on the impact of technology on culture, economy, and politics.
Leah Feiger
An editor at WIRED who manages reporting staff within the organization.
The details
Tess Owen moves to the New York office to report directly to Leah Feiger. Her mandate covers the nexus of money and technology within the political landscape, an area of growing relevance as businesses track regulatory changes ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections.
Timeline
October 5, 2026: Tess Owen began her new position.
November 2026: Midterm elections occur.
Market Landscape
The addition of a dedicated senior writer for political finance reporting follows a standard industry pattern of bolstering editorial resources ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. This reflects a broader media trend of prioritizing the intersection of capital and policy in technology coverage.
Operators should watch for reporting on how political funding cycles affect tech policy, as these developments can influence compliance and lobbying strategies. Monitor how emerging political narratives might impact the regulatory environment for business operations throughout the 2026 cycle.
The takeaway
Staffing shifts in key media outlets often signal the topics that will dominate the political discourse in the coming quarter. Business leaders should track the output of these new roles to anticipate the regulatory headwinds that may arise from renewed scrutiny of political and financial ties.
Further reading
For broader insights into industry staffing changes, see the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Editor and Publisher.
