John DiStaso

John Joseph DiStaso (February 18, 1954 – April 21, 2022) was an American political journalist from New Hampshire.

John DiStaso
Born
John Joseph DiStaso

(1954-02-18)February 18, 1954
Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedApril 21, 2022(2022-04-21) (aged 68)
Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materVillanova University
William Paterson University
OccupationJournalist
Spouse
Diane Randazza
​
(m. 1979)​
Children2

Early life

DiStaso was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey.[1] He received a bachelor's degree in English literature from Villanova University in 1975 and a master's degree in communications from William Paterson University in 1979.[1][2]

Career

DiStaso began his career with the New Hampshire Union Leader as a correspondent before becoming a staff reporter in the early 1980s. Beginning in 1982, DiStaso wrote the newspaper's political column, "The Granite Status." He was particularly well known for his work during the New Hampshire presidential primaries, interviewing and candidates participating in the contest as well as moderating debates, and is also credited with the earliest use of the phrase "Republican in Name Only" in 1992.[1][3][4] DiStaso was accused of Republican bias in a Columbia Journalism Review article for an interview he conducted with George W. Bush presidential adviser Karl Rove.[5]

Personal life and death

DiStaso was a resident of New Boston, New Hampshire. In 1979, he married Diane Randazza, and they had two children. DiStaso died from pancreatic cancer in Manchester, New Hampshire on April 21, 2022, aged 68.[1][6]

References
  1. Seelye, Katharine Q. (April 28, 2022). "John DiStaso, Star Reporter of New Hampshire Primaries, Dies at 68". The New York Times. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  2. Downey, KC (April 22, 2022). "John DiStaso, 'dean' of New Hampshire's political press corps and WMUR reporter, dead at 68". WMUR. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  3. Curry, Tom (January 22, 2004). "How candidates scored in debate". MSNBC.com. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  4. "RINO - Word Spy".
  5. Roth, Zachary (July 14, 2004). "Our Roving Reporter". Columbia Journalism Review. Archived from the original on June 2, 2006. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  6. "John DiStaso, 'dean' of NH political reporters, dies at 68". Associated Press. April 23, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.


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