Nicole Russell brought her conservative voice to USA TODAY’s opinion section in April 2024, joining the publication as an opinion columnist after more than a decade of writing on politics, culture, and policy from a right-leaning perspective.
Russell previously served as an opinion writer and editorial board member at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram from January 2022 to April 2024, where she covered Texas and national politics, including the Uvalde shooting and Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial, according to USA TODAY’s profile of its opinion team.
Before her time in Texas, Russell spent a decade writing for conservative outlets including The Washington Examiner and The Federalist, where she won the Young Journalist of the Year award. Her work has also appeared in The Atlantic, the New York Post, and the Daily Beast, as well as lifestyle publications like Wine Enthusiast and Parents magazines.
USA TODAY’s opinion section is designed to reflect what the publication describes as “the fullness of the national dialogue, offering commentary and analysis from columnists, readers and contributors on a wide range of issues from many perspectives.” The opinion team includes columnists and editors from across the country and the political spectrum, according to the publication’s April 2024 announcement of its opinion staff.
Russell, a Minnesota native with a degree in English from Cedarville University, now resides in Texas with her four children and two dogs. In September 2025, Editor and Publisher magazine featured Russell as one of USA TODAY’s leading conservative voices, discussing her approach to balancing tone and responsibility in opinion journalism during a polarized moment.
Sources
- USA TODAY — Profile of Nicole Russell and the opinion team, confirming her April 2024 start date, 15 years in journalism, and prior work at Fort Worth Star-Telegram and conservative outlets
- Editor and Publisher — September 2025 feature identifying Russell as one of USA Today’s leading conservative voices and detailing her decade-plus writing on politics, culture, and policy
- LinkedIn — Professional history confirming her tenure at Fort Worth Star-Telegram from January 2022 to April 2024 and current role at USA TODAY
