David Nitkin leaving Sun to work for Howard County

David Nitkin, a longtime reporter and editor of Maryland politics, is leaving the Baltimore Sun for a job in Howard County government.

Nitkin joined the Sun in 1999 and has since worked as a Baltimore County government reporter, State House bureau chief, political editor and White House correspondent. For the past two years, he has been an editor running the Sun's Maryland news desk.

His departure was announced in an e-mail Monday morning to staff at the Sun.

Among many memorable moments in his tenure, Nitkin was one of two Sun journalists who were banned in 2004 from speaking to state executive employees by the administration of then-Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) -- an action that led to an unsuccessful lawsuit by the Sun.

In his new role, Nitkin will serve as director of policy and legislative affairs for Howard County, where he lives. Howard County Executive Ken Ulman (D) is considered an up-and-comer in Maryland politics and is among those mentioned as a 2014 contender for governor.

"His dedication to news has fired up the room each day and made The Sun a better, more fun place to be," said the memo to Sun staff from top editors. "He has been a masterful editor -- imaginative in his approach and passionate about gathering and writing great stories. There's much we'll miss about him: his tireless work ethic, his encyclopedic knowledge of local politics, his micro waved breakfast sandwiches."