Ronald J. Brownstein (born April 6, 1958) is an American journalist, political correspondent, and analyst.^[1][2]

Brownstein was born to a Jewish family on April 6, 1958, in New York City,^[3] the son of Shirley and David Brownstein.^[4] His father was an electrician.^[4] In 1979, he graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from the State University of New York - Binghamton.^[3] He then worked as senior staff writer for Ralph Nader.^[3]

In 1983, he went to work for the National Journal as White House correspondent.^[3] In 1987, he became a contributing editor for the Los Angeles Times.^[3] In 1989, he left the National Journal to work full-time as national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times.^[3] In 1993, he was named their national political correspondent.^[3] In 1997, he accepted a position as chief political correspondent for U.S. News & World Report.^[3] In 1998, he went to work for CNN as a political analyst where he remained until 2004.^[5] He is currently senior political analyst for CNN and Editorial Director for Strategic Partnerships for Atlantic Media.^[5]

Brownstein has been married twice. His first wife was Nina Easton; they had two children before divorcing.^[6] In 2005, he married Eileen Nicole McMenamin, the former communications director for Senator John McCain, in a nondenominational ceremony in Henderson, Nevada.^[4]