John has covered four governors, countless would-be laws and issues — and elections. So many elections.
MINNEAPOLIS — Starting in 1997, a fresh-faced kid from Kansas started popping up on your television screen.
John Croman has covered just about everything you can think of during those 27 years.
The big stories that put a mark on this state — both good and bad.
From the death of Paul Wellstone to the Comfrey tornado to the 35W bridge collapse, John Croman has been a steady stream of reliability and information.
But his strengths go well beyond breaking news.
John joined the investigative team digging deep into important issues, and then the extras unit, but “chief political reporter John Croman” is likely how you remember him.
John has been to national conventions, Iowa caucuses and Washington D.C. He’s been everywhere to cover our Minnesota politicians, but most of the time, his office was the Minnesota State Capitol.
John has covered four governors, countless would-be laws and issues — and elections. So many elections.
He says the most dramatic political story he covered was the Al Franken-Norm Coleman recount, which stretched from November of 2008 to July of 2009.
And the most memorable? The passage of same-sex marriage.
For some, politics may be dry.
The only thing dry about him is his sense of humor.
“He took the work seriously, but he has never taken himself seriously. There’s always a little twinkle in his eye. Hit me. What’s he thinking about? There’ll be some, you know, some video or show up on social media,” said KARE 11’s Boyd Huppert.
“I mean, we all know the ‘bill on Capitol Hill,’ right? But John, in some ways takes it to the next level because he localizes Schoolhouse Rock for us every day. I can’t imagine what our younger employees are like. What is that? Who is that? Why is that?” said KARE 11’s Jana Shortal.
But he’s also the first one to share information, a contact, or context for a story. The ultimate teammate.
“He’s going to be missed. Not just by us, but by the people at the Capitol, because he treats them with respect. And he’s always so well-versed on the issues he’s talking to the politicians about, the wealth of knowledge that he has is irreplaceable.” said KARE 11’s Lou Raguse.
Often his own cameraman and editor, working late and on days off… John is dedicated entirely to his craft.
“I’m sure we’ll have a new political reporter. I’m sure we will never have another John Croman. They just don’t make him like that. He’s one of a kind,” said KARE 11 anchor Julie Nelson.
No, we’ve never lost our hearts, but you can be sure a piece of it walked out the door the day John Croman left.
