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Gary Abernathy

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Gary Abernathy (born in 1956[1]) is an American political commentator who writes a nationally syndicated column for The Washington Post and makes frequent appearances on the PBS NewsHour. A former newspaper editor and state Republican Party official, he is noted for his politically conservative views from a rural perspective.[2]

Early life and education

Abernathy grew up on a farm in Hamer Township, Highland County, Ohio (between Fairview and Danville). He graduated from Lynchburg-Clay High School in 1974.[1][3]

Career

Abernathy began his career as a reporter at the Hillsboro Press Gazette (now The Times-Gazette). He became the city editor there in 1983, then the editor in 1985. In 1991, he left the Press Gazette to serve as city editor of The Marion Star. In 1993, he moved to the Portsmouth Daily Times, where he served as managing editor until 1996.[4][5]

In January 1998, Abernathy became the Ohio Republican Party's communications director.[6] In October 2001, Abernathy was appointed as the West Virginia Republican Party's executive director. He was dismissed in 2004 after alleging that the party's chairman, Kris Warner, had overspent on his brother Monty's gubernatorial campaign. He returned as executive director in 2008.[7] He has also served as a consultant to two U.S. senators, an Ohio congressman,[1] and West Virginia State Senator Russ Weeks.[8]

In 2011, Abernathy was named publisher of the Times-Gazette and Highland County Shopper. In 2015, he became the papers' publisher and editor.[4] He led the Times-Gazette in giving Donald Trump a rare newspaper endorsement in the 2016 presidential election, which was unremarkable among the paper's Highland County readers but attracted international attention.[9][10] In 2017, The Washington Post added Abernathy as a contributing columnist to diversify its editorial pages with a conservative viewpoint from outside the Beltway. He began writing two to three columns a month, which the Washington Post Writers Group distributes to hundreds of newspapers across the U.S.[2] He also began making appearances on the PBS NewsHour as a political analyst, substituting for David Brooks.[11]

On July 2, 2018, the Highland County Republican Central Committee appointed Abernathy to replace Shane Wilkin on the Board of County Commissioners. Abernathy resigned as publisher and editor of the Times-Gazette to serve as a commissioner. He was confirmed in a general election later that year. He resigned on October 2, 2020, to move to the Cincinnati area.[12][13]

Personal life

Abernathy lives in Loveland, Ohio,[14] with his wife, Lora. They have four children.[4]

Abernathy is an Elvis impersonator, having seen the Elvis Comeback Special in 1968. He often performs Elvis songs at political functions.[7][15]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Abernathy feels experiences give him advantage". The Times-Gazette. Hillsboro, Ohio. November 1, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Spinner, Jackie (April 10, 2018). "Editorial pages in 'Trump Country' respond to demand for new columnists". Columbia Journalism Review. New York City. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "Andy Richmond: A man among boys". The Times-Gazette. Hillsboro, Ohio. June 16, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c "Abernathy named publisher and editor of Times Gazette" (Press release). Davidson, North Carolina: Civitas Media. April 8, 2015. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Times-Gazette owners, publishers, editors through the years". Times-Gazette. Hillsboro, Ohio. June 18, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Abernathy to lead West Virginia GOP". Columbus Business First. Columbus, Ohio: American City Business Journals. October 29, 2001. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  7. ^ a b Porterfield, Mannix (December 11, 2008). "Gary Abernathy back as GOP executive director". The Register-Herald. Beckley, West Virginia. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  8. ^ Messina, Lawrence (October 24, 2008). "Manchin campaign spending increases". Times West Virginian. Fairmont, West Virginia. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  9. ^ Weiser, Carl (October 27, 2016). "This Ohio paper is one of only six to endorse Donald Trump". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  10. ^ Arrieta-Kenna, Ruairí (October 26, 2016). "These Are the Only 6 Newspapers in the Country to Endorse Donald Trump". Politico. Arlington County, Virginia. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  11. ^ "Gary Abernathy". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  12. ^ "Staff changes at The Times-Gazette". The Times-Gazette. Hillsboro, Ohio. July 20, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  13. ^ Forsha, Caitlin (September 9, 2020). "Gary Abernathy stepping down as Highland County commissioner". The Highland County Press. Hillsboro, Ohio. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  14. ^ Sewell, Dan (April 1, 2022). "Tim Ryan benefits from 'cavalcade of clowns' in Senate race". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  15. ^ Porterfield, Mannix (August 16, 2007). "Elvis impressionist pauses to remember the King". The Register-Herald. Beckley, West Virginia. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
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