Herald names new opinion editor

Jon Bauer, a longtime editor and writer at the Daily Herald, will assume the title of editorial page editor Oct. 4.

Bauer replaces Peter Jackson, who has overseen the Opinion page and Viewpoints section of the Daily Herald since 2012. Jackson is leaving to work on a book and to pursue magazine freelance projects.

Since joining the newspaper in 2001, Bauer has worked as a copy editor, assistant news editor, interim features editor and news editor/content. Notably, he also has been a primary contributor to the front-page Buzz column, a compilation of humorous short takes on the news.

This summer, Bauer joined the editorial board, a panel whose members contribute to shaping the newspaper’s editorial positions.

“I won’t be telling people what to think,” Bauer said of his new role. “I’m more likely to ask our readers, ‘Have you thought about this?’ I want to encourage thoughtful and courteous debate.”

Bauer grew up in Everett’s View Ridge neighborhood and attended Everett schools. He studied journalism and political science at Western Washington University and early in his journalism career worked at the Tri-City Herald, the Anacortes American and the Port Townsend-Jefferson County Leader.

He said it is particularly meaningful to work on a newspaper in his hometown, because he “remembers what Everett was like 45 years ago and appreciates much of what has happened in that time.”

During his two years in the job, Jackson was recognized twice for editorial writing in the regional Society of Professional Journalists competition. This year, his writing won the Dolly Connelly Environmental Journalism Contest. Judges praised his “consistently exceptional” commentaries on environment topics that included coal and oil trains, delays in the Hanford cleanup efforts and the proposed Pebble Mine at Alaska’s Bristol Bay.

“We are going to miss Peter’s thoughtful work, but appreciate the foundation that he’s built as the Opinion page editor,” Publisher Josh O’Connor said. “His ability to advance the Daily Herald’s mission of presenting well-informed opinions was among the best in the business.”

Bauer said he shares with Jackson — as well as Bob Bolerjack, previous editor of the Opinion page — “a commitment to our communities and a desire to be fair.”