Jim Acosta

Jim Acosta
Jim Acosta in February 2016
Born	Abilio James Acosta (1971-04-17) April 17, 1971 (age 46)
Residence	Washington, D.C.
Nationality	American
Alma mater	James Madison University
Occupation	Correspondent Journalist
Employer	CNN
Known for	Senior White House Correspondent for CNN
Spouse(s)	Sharon Mobley Stow
Website	CNN.com biography

Abilio James "Jim" Acosta (born April 17, 1971) is an American journalist who is currently the Senior White House Correspondent for CNN. Previously, Acosta served as the National Political Correspondent for CNN.

Acosta is a Cuban American. He graduated from Annandale High School, a public high school in Annandale, Virginia, in 1989. In 1993, he earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication, with a minor in Political Science, from James Madison University. While in school, Acosta volunteered for WXJM, the student-run radio station, and also worked as a reporter at WSVA, a local radio station.

Acosta began his professional career in radio, and his first job was with WMAL in Washington, D.C.. In 1994, Acosta left WMAL and entered television, working for WTTG-TV as a desk assistant. In 1995, Acosta moved in front of the camera, becoming a reporter and substitute anchor at WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, and remained in that job until 1998.

From 1998 until 2000, Acosta worked as a reporter for KTVT-TV in Dallas. From 2000 until 2001, Acosta was a reporter for WBBM-TV in Chicago. From 2001 until 2003, Acosta worked as a correspondent for CBS News' Newspath service, based both in Dallas and Chicago. From February 2003 until March 2007, Acosta was a correspondent for CBS News and was based first in New York and then in Atlanta.

At CBS News, Acosta covered the 2004 campaign of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, the Iraq War from Baghdad, and Hurricane Katrina. In April 2007, Acosta joined CNN. During the following year, Acosta covered the 2008 presidential campaigns of Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, frequently appearing as an anchor of CNN's weekend political program, "Ballot Bowl." Acosta later joined CNN's "American Morning" program as a correspondent and contributed to the network's coverage of the 2010 mid-term congressional election.