Politics & Government

Babylon Native Promoted to ABC News Political Director

Rick Klein, a 1994 graduate of Babylon High School, named as political director of ABC News.

Rick Klein, a Babylon Village native and Babylon Junior-Senior High School graduate, has been named the new political director for ABC News.

According to the Huffington Post, Klein's new role will include overseeing the network's political team and lead the ABC digital initiatives. Klein has worked for ABC News since 2007 and served as senior Washington editor and on-air political analyst for "World News with Diane Sawyer."

He has also previously worked with The Boston Globe.

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"Rick's sharp instincts and penetrating insights played a critical role throughout the 2012 election cycle, helping guide World News reporting on campaigns and political battles in Washington," ABC News chief Ben Sherwood wrote in a memo to staff on Wednesday afternoon.

"Rick was a key member of the editorial team that produced two of the most-watched debates of the Republican primaries. And when Martha Raddatz was picked to moderate the Vice Presidential debate, Rick enthusiastically took on a leading part in debate prep as a very convincing Paul Ryan."

Find out what's happening in Babylon Villagewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He also wrote: "Whether contributing to 'The Note' or co-anchoring live-stream coverage from the conventions, Rick plays a key role in our online efforts."

Klein is a former Babylon Village resident, growing up and graduated from Babylon Junior-Senior High School in 1994. According to Newsday, Klein now lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his wife and two children.


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