Mark Plotkin was a longtime political commentator at WTOP. (WTOP File) Former WTOP political analyst Mark Plotkin died Sunday at the age of 72. Plotkin was a staple on WTOP for 10 years. He hosted “The Politics Program with Mark Plotkin” on Fridays, through which he delivered his colorful commentaries on air. Plotkin was passionate about D.C. statehood and voting rights, tennis and George Washington basketball. He came to WTOP in 2002 and left in 2012. Before that, he was at WAMU, did commentary for Fox5 and he would write columns for various publications. In the WTOP newsroom, he was often heard on the phone questioning elected officials and dashing into the studio for his live interviews. Tributes from D.C. area politicians and journalists started pouring in upon the news of Plotkin’s death. WTOP’s former Vice President of Programming Jim Farley described Plotkin as “one of the feistiest guys I had ever met.” “He was a bulldog when he got on a story or on an issue … He was rough on everybody because he wanted to get things done,” Farley told WTOP. “He was a character. He had some rough edges, but was so memorable.” Farley said he hired Plotkin at a time when WTOP had a presence in the D.C. area suburbs, but not so much in the District. That changed within weeks when Plotkin came on board. D.C. politicians, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and Councilman Jack Evans (D, Ward 2) also shared their condolences. “I am saddened to hear of the passing of Mark Plotkin. Mark embodied D.C. politics, cared deeply about this city …,” Bowser said in a statement Sunday. “Minted in a time before social media, Mark was never one to mince words and offered fair, poignant perspectives across media outlets. In particular, tuning into Mark’s show was must-listen radio.”
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“I’m deeply saddened to let everybody know that my close dear friend Mark Plotkin and someone who was really revered by everyone has passed away today,” Evans told WTOP. “He was a champion for D.C. statehood. It’s somewhat interesting that right after the hearing this past week that Mark had passed away. We will miss him deeply.” NBC Washington’s Mark Segraves said he learned “so much” from Plotkin from the 10 years he shared an office with him. “He taught me not only how to hold public officials accountable, but [also] how to listen to a person’s answers and follow up,” Segraves said. “While Plotkin wasn’t born and raised here in D.C., he considered Washington his adopted hometown and loved it with all of his might.”
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Watch Plotkin in action interviewing then-senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama about issues that impact residents in the D.C. area.
Declan Moore named president of WTOP and Federal News Network
Moore will replace Joel Oxley who announced his retirement earlier this year
Washington, DC – August 21, 2026 – Hubbard | Media That Connects CEO Ginny Hubbard announced that Declan Moore is the new President/Market Manager for its Washington, DC cluster, which includes the historic WTOP, Federal News Network and the 2060 Digital Washington, DC office.
Moore was most recently Head of International for Wondery, an Amazon company, where he led international strategy and expansion for their audio business across content, advertising, subscriptions and platform distribution. Prior to Wondery, Moore was with National Geographic in Washington, DC for 23 years where he served numerous roles including Chief Media Officer and President, Publishing and Digital Media for National Geographic Society and Chief Executive Officer of National Geographic Partners.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to build on the extraordinary legacy Joel Oxley has created here in Washington,” commented Moore. “WTOP, Federal News Network and 2060 Digital are exceptional brands with deep connections to the communities they serve throughout the National Capital Region. I’m energized by the opportunity to work with the talented teams here to build on those strengths and help these businesses continue to evolve and grow. I’m also enormously excited to join Ginny and the Hubbard leadership team, whose commitment to impartial, trusted journalism, strong local brands and long-term thinking really resonated with me throughout this process.
