As a national political reporter for CNN, Maeve Reston has been covering both the Republican and Democratic Presidential campaigns over the last year-and-a-half. Her hybrid role at CNN includes writing stories for CNN Digital and contributing political analysis on air. Since election season kicked off, she has spent countless days on the road traveling all over the country.
With the finish line in plain sight, the veteran journalist (not to mention avid runner and devoted mother to Lila Grace, almost two) answers an election edition of our popular Stylemaker Seven series.
Favorite restaurant on the campaign trail: I fell in love with Charleston the first time I covered the South Carolina primary years ago. I love getting oysters and shrimp cocktail at Hank’s Seafood after deadline.
Go-to cocktail for unwinding after a long day following candidates and talking to voters: A French 75 in New Orleans (at the bar that’s actually named for that cocktail, which is part of Arnaud’s in the French Quarter).
Best running trail you’ve discovered on the campaign trail: The Rail Trail in Wolfeboro, NH. You can just go for 11 miles past hidden lakes, winding through lush forests, and just completely lose yourself in thought.
This is your fourth election as a journalist and your first as a mother. Best kids’ spot you’ve discovered while traveling with Lila Grace: I took Lila Grace on the trail a fair amount this cycle with help from my mom and our nanny until she really started getting squirmy on the plane. I don’t think anywhere beats Central Park in New York City for kids because she loves to explore and go to the seal show at the Zoo.
Place only a local (or a seasoned journalist) would know: Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, Florida. The beach is spectacular. It’s like a sanctuary.
Favorite campaign hotel: Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, IA (order the “Presidential Pork Chop” downstairs at Bix Bistro).
Campaign trail indulgence: The Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Shake at the Hamburg Inn No. 2 in Iowa City. (It’s a milkshake with huge chunks of their homemade pie; I think almost every presidential candidate stops at the restaurant).
