Shake-Up at Politico Is Expected After November Election

A founder of Politico, Jim VandeHei, and one of the organization’s best-known journalists, Mike Allen, plan to leave the publication after the November presidential election, according to two people with knowledge of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal sensitive internal discussions. The reason for the departures was not clear, though one person with knowledge of the matter suggested there had been some kind of difference of opinion with the site’s ownership. Mr. VandeHei and Mr. Allen did not respond to calls seeking comment. Other employees, including the chief operating officer Kim Kingsley, also plan to leave. Politico did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Mr. VandeHei started Politico with John Harris in 2007 after leaving The Washington Post. The two had first brought the idea for the site to The Post before striking out on their own. Under their leadership, Politico came to redefine Washington political coverage. In recent years, the site has expanded into Europe, with help from the German media company Axel Springer, and announced plans to cover statehouses across the United States in depth. Mr. Allen became one of Politico’s marquee journalists. Renowned for his connections and energy, he turned his morning email newsletter — Politico Playbook — into a Washington institution. Jim Rutenberg contributed reporting.