TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Michael Catalini, an enterprising political journalist covering the U.S. Senate, has been named the New Jersey statehouse reporter for The Associated Press.

Catalini joins the AP from the National Journal Daily. In New Jersey, he will focus on accountability and breaking news coverage as the lead reporter on state government, including the Legislature, state agencies and the budget.

His appointment was announced Wednesday by Karen Testa, editor for the East region of the U.S., and Josh Cornfield, news editor for New Jersey.

“Michael has proven himself adept at uncovering interesting stories from the Senate that dig into topics important to readers and vital to understanding how government works,” Cornfield said. “We look forward to him doing the same in Trenton.”

Catalini joined National Journal in 2011 as on online editor. He became a staff political writer in January 2013 and moved to covering Congress in June of that year. Prior to the National Journal, Catalini was the Baltimore Ravens editor for The Baltimore Sun.

Catalini, 30, grew up in the Philadelphia area and has a degree in journalism from Penn State University and a master’s degree in government from Johns Hopkins. He will begin Oct. 6.

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