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Mariel Padilla

General Assignment Reporter (She/Her)

Hi there, I’m Mariel Padilla. I’m a general assignment reporter at The 19th, where I’ve been since July 2020, just before the organization launched. I’ve written about all kinds of things, from the nursing shortage to child marriage laws to family-building concerns within the military community. I love falling down history rabbit holes, making spreadsheets and writing long explainers that nobody asked for (but people usually show interest in).

Previously, I was a breaking news reporter at The New York Times where I contributed to COVID-19 coverage that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize, created a database of Philippine drug war victims at the Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism and contributed to a 2018 Pulitzer Prize-winning project at The Cincinnati Enquirer. Despite this, my mom is most proud that I was once featured in a “Jeopardy” question.

I currently live in Indianapolis with my husband. When I’m not staring at a screen, you might find me hosting too many book clubs, singing in my church choir or playing with my ever-growing number of nieces and nephews.

My work is free to consume and free to republish because of contributions from readers like you. A donation of $19 goes a long way toward sustaining our nonprofit newsroom.

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Latest from Mariel Padilla

‘We didn’t know if we would encounter a mob’: Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘I felt horror, absolute horror’: Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘Where is our line of defense?’: Rep. Veronica Escobar of Texas recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘Truly a network of domestic terrorists’: Rep. Marie Newman of Illinois recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘All the trauma just keeps building’: Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘Doors locked, lights down and be quiet’: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘Don’t panic’: Rep. Barbara Lee of California recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘I may be losing my life’: Rep. Jackie Speier of California recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘What if the elevator doors open and we got shot?’: Rep. Ann McLane Kuster of New Hampshire recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021
‘No one is coming to help’: Rep. Lizzie Fletcher of Texas recalls the Capitol riot

The 19th collected first-hand accounts of January 6 from nearly two dozen women in Congress.

Mariel Padilla · March 16, 2021