Dan Balz

Washington, D.C.

Chief correspondent covering national politics, the presidency and Congress

Education: University of Illinois, B.S. in communications and M.S. in communications

Dan Balz is chief correspondent at The Washington Post. He joined The Post in 1978 and has been involved in political coverage as a reporter or editor throughout his career. Before coming to The Post, he worked at National Journal magazine as a reporter and an editor and at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He is the author of several books, including two bestsellers. He was born in Freeport, Ill., graduated from the University of Illinois and served in the U.S. Army. He is married and has one adult son. He is a regular panelist on PBS’s “Washington Week” and has appeared on other public affairs prog
Latest from Dan Balz

Harris dominated Trump in debate, but will it matter?

In Tuesday night’s scorching debate, Harris tried to keep Trump on the defensive. But with polls showing no clear leader, the race may stay tight until the end.

September 11, 2024
Republican voters gather at a wine bar in Winnemucca, Nev., on Tuesday night to watch the presidential debate between former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Tuesday’s debate should show whether Trump has learned how to campaign against Harris

The former president has been failing at tests on his temperament and answering questions on the issues. His debate answers will be telling on how he would perform if elected again.

September 7, 2024
Former president Donald Trump gave rambling answers after delivering a monotone speech at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday.

A political summer like no other — and the photographs that defined it

A look at the eight weeks that saw President Joe Biden leaving the presidential race and Vice President Kamala Harris stepping in, an assassination attempt against Donald Trump, and the Republicans and Democrats securing their presidential nominees.

September 3, 2024

Kamala Harris has put Trump in a box, and he’s struggling to break out

As Democrats emerge from their electrifying convention in Chicago, Trump finds himself on the defense, and it’s not clear he knows what to do.

August 23, 2024
Former president Donald Trump looks out during a campaign event in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Saturday.

Democrats set her up for success. Now Harris has to stick the landing.

Three nights in, the Democratic convention has exuded energy and star power, but what matters most will be the nominee’s speech Thursday night.

August 21, 2024
Attendees react as Oprah Winfrey speaks on the third day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday night.

Barack and Michelle Obama look to add a flavor of 2008 to Harris’s bid

The Obamas, at the pinnacle of the Democratic Party, will address the party’s convention Tuesday and lay out the rationale for a Harris victory.

August 20, 2024
Former president Barack Obama greets supporters during a rally with Sen. Raphael G. Warnock (D-Ga.) and Stacey Abrams at in College Park, Ga., on Oct. 28, 2022.

    How Barack Obama’s DNC speech could boost Kamala Harris

    Chief political correspondent Dan Balz looks at how Barack Obama's DNC speech could help Kamala Harris and try to inject a sense of hope in her campaign.

    August 20, 2024

    Harris holds slight national lead over Trump, Post-ABC-Ipsos poll finds

    Though the dynamics of the campaign have shifted since Biden got out, the findings in the new Post-ABC-Ipsos poll continue to point to a tight election in November.

    August 18, 2024
    President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appear at an event on lowering prescription drug costs at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Md., on Thursday.

    Harris flipped the script of the campaign, but there’s much still to write

    Harris’s campaign has had a near-perfect first month, but many questions remain — about her policy views and whether she can navigate the likely potholes ahead.

    August 17, 2024
    Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about her agenda for economic policy on Friday in Raleigh, N.C.

      How the 1968 DNC has some parallels to today

      Chief political correspondent Dan Balz explains the similarities — and the major differences — between the 1968 DNC and what is happening in politics today.

      August 16, 2024