Austin Ahlman is a reporter and researcher with the Open Markets Institute’s Center for Journalism & Liberty, where he writes about the intersection of corporate power, public policy, and politics. 

His background is in legislative politics, international affairs, and congressional campaign reporting. Before joining the Open Markets Institute, he worked as a Politics Fellow and Contributing Writer for The Intercept. He began his journalism career as an intern with The American Prospect, where he has continued to contribute in various capacities.

He grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska, and obtained a B.A. in Gender Studies and Political Science from Macalester College (2021), where he also interned for legislators at the local, state, and federal level.