Meteorologist Kim Quintero leaving TV for political role
Kim Quintero, a meteorologist and reporter for the Arizona’s Family stations, is leaving TV.
Quintero announced on her social media accounts that she was leaving Channels 3 and 5, where she’s worked for nine years. “I’ve accepted a position as the Director of Communications for the Arizona Senate Majority Caucus,” she posted.
Her last weekend as a meteorologist will be Nov. 20 and 21. Her last morning as a reporter will be Nov. 26. She begins her new duties at the Senate on Nov. 29.
“Unfortunately, there sometimes comes a point where you begin to feel stagnant in your career, and the opportunities for growth become limited,” Quintero told The Arizona Republic by email. “That became very apparent for me over the past two years.”
‘The pandemic has only exacerbated politics’
There were other factors, as well. “The industry itself is also changing quite a bit,” she said. “As with many industries, the pandemic has only exacerbated politics both inside and outside of newsrooms across the country.”
Her next job allows her to remain in Arizona and “to contribute to our communities in a totally different capacity, while being able to stay true to my core values,” Quintero said.
It’s not unheard of for high-profile media people to leave their jobs for politics — former Fox 10 anchor Kari Lake is making all kinds of noise as a Republican candidate for governor. But it’s not exactly routine, either. Quintero is not running for office but this is clearly a political position. Senate President Karen
Fann announced Quintero’s hiring, along with some other positions, in a press release.
“I was never politically active, outside of voting, simply because I didn’t want any bias to cloud my reporting,” Quintero said. “I’ve taken my career very seriously with a goal of transparent and credible journalism that fairly represents all demographics.”
Why Quintero wanted to get involved in politics
But the last year changed her perspective, she said.
“As we’ve progressed into 20202021, I came to realize I’m not happy with the direction our society and country are headed in,” Quintero said, “and I want to get more involved to help make a difference.”
Quintero said she would miss the energy of a TV newsroom, but that she’s also looking forward to “not having to wake up before 2 a.m. or be in bed by 7 p.m. five days a week! I’ve also never had weekends off, since entering the workforce when I was 16 years old. I’m really going to enjoy that.”