Chris Van Buskirk is the state politics reporter at WBUR, covering everything from the daily happenings of the governor to the way taxpayer dollars are spent, how the Legislature runs and elections in Massachusetts.
He joined the station in October 2025 after more than two and a half years across town at The Boston Herald, where he also covered local politics. Van Buskirk had previous stints at MassLive and the State House News Service, a local independent wire service covering state government.
Van Buskirk is fascinated by the way elected officials spend public money, craft policies, and wield power and influence. He is a nerd for public records and can often be found picking through the latest campaign finance reports.
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Van Buskirk grew up in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Emerson College in 2021.
Recently published
Minogue, a political newcomer, claims GOP endorsement for Mass. governor at convention
The wealthy former biotech executive claimed the biggest prize of the night. One GOP rival, former MBTA chief Brian Shortsleeve, squeaked onto the primary ballot, while former Baker administration secretary...
Kennealy looks to distance himself from Baker in GOP primary race for governor
Mike Kennealy hails from the moderate era of Republicans in Massachusetts. After a career in private equity, he worked for two terms under former Gov. Charlie Baker and has a...
GOP candidate for lieutenant governor recently owed thousands in unpaid taxes, records show
Anne Brensley, a Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, and her husband owed tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes to the federal government as of March, according to public...
Republican Mike Minogue brings big money, outsider status and business cred in run for Mass. governor
The wealthy former biotech executive identifies as a "born again" Catholic who would bring CEO-style management to the state as a “new kind of governor.”
Mass. is increasingly unaffordable. But not for the GOP hopefuls for governor
All three Republican gubernatorial candidates have blasted Gov. Maura Healey over the cost of living in Massachusetts. Public records show each owns at least one multi-million-dollar home and additional high-end...
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Mass. Senate wants to put more money toward legal defense fund for immigrants
The program was created over the summer as part of the state budget and has helped hundreds of immigrants facing deportation retain lawyers at no cost. Senate President Karen Spilka...
Immigrants in Mass. can get free legal help. Beacon Hill is debating the program's future
The program, known as the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative, provides pro bono legal assistance to low-income immigrants facing removal.
GOP’s Brian Shortsleeve taps New Bedford's Shawn Oliver as running mate
Brian Shortsleeve, a former MBTA chief administrator vying for Massachusetts governor as a Republican, tapped New Bedford City Councilor Shawn Oliver as his running mate, Shortsleeve’s campaign announced Thursday.
House lawmakers send bill to Senate on restricting ICE from Mass. courthouses
Massachusetts House lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday that would ban warrantless civil immigration arrests in courthouses, bar local law enforcement from asking about immigration status and ban new agreements that allow...
Mass. House plans to vote on bill banning warrantless civil immigration arrests in courthouses
Massachusetts House lawmakers will vote this spring on legislation that bans warrantless civil immigration arrests at courthouses and prohibits local law enforcement officers from initiating contact with U.S. Immigration and...