I wanted to take a second to congratulate our brilliant cartoonist, Nate Beeler (view Nate’s cartoons here), who has been chosen as the new staff cartoonist for The Columbus Dispatch. Beeler will start his new job in April, and I asked him to describe how it all came about:

In all honesty, I wasn’t looking to leave The Washington Examiner. But I’m an Ohioan at heart, so when The Columbus Dispatch, my hometown paper, asked if I was interested in applying, I couldn’t say no. I know from growing up with The Dispatch at the kitchen table that it’s a top-notch newsroom and the greatest newspaper in Ohio. (They even have a sign that says it. Finally, truth in advertising!) For me, that’s an incredible platform from which to engage readers with my cartoons. I’m really fortunate to able to move from one impressive newsroom to another, and it’s humbling that The Dispatch likes my cartoons so much. Most importantly, this is an opportunity to be with family. My son will be able to grow up with his grandparents close by, and my wife and I will maybe get to have a few more movie nights out together.

This was the hardest decision of my career, and I will dearly miss my D.C. friends and colleagues. I’ve been taking solace in the fact that in the big newsroom that is social media, their friendship and wisdom are just a tweet away. It will be bittersweet to watch from afar as The Examiner continues to blossom. I can’t comment on whether they are going to fill my position because I just don’t know. This came as a big surprise to them, and they are still trying to catch their breath.

Nevertheless, I’m really excited for first day I draw a cartoon with the words “The Columbus Dispatch” written next to my signature.