The BBC re-advertised the των 260,000-a-year role after interviewing selected candidates such as Anushka Asthana, ITV News political editor and Sophy Ridge of Sky.
Pippa Crerar, from The Mirror, and Alex Forsyth of the BBC, are also believed to have been in the running.
Mason, who presents Radio 4’s Any Questions, is now a favorite. The Times reported that he had been asked by the BBC to apply following rumors that he had been approached by media opponents. While Mason is not known for his Westminster saddles, he has received praise for his knowledge and analysis – something that could make him a safe pair of hands for one of the BBC’s most public and divisive roles.
He currently co-hosts the Newscast podcast with Kuenssberg and has served as the BBC’s political correspondent.
When Kuensberg announced last year that she would resign as political editor, Mason excluded himself from the race to succeed her. Jon Sopel, the BBC’s North America editor, was one of the top favorites before joining Global Radio.
The recruitment page for the position of political editor remains open until Tuesday, with a new batch of candidates being asked to submit resumes.
Kuenssberg, who is set to take over from Andrew Marr on Sunday’s BBC political show, is set to raise “tens of thousands”. She earns between 0 260,000 and 5 265,000 a year, but her salary will be close to Marr’s last μεταξύ 335,000 and 40 340,000.
Her final assignment as a political writer will be the local elections in May.
