Jack Burden, a Louisiana news reporter, takes a personal interest in Willie Stark, an idealistic small-town lawyer and List of parishes in Louisiana treasurer. Circumstances develop that result in Tiny Duffy, a local political leader Burden knows, urging Stark to run for Governor (U.S.). Burden's upbringing makes him familiar with the undercurrent of politics – he was raised by his loving Godparent Judge Irwin, a former state attorney general, while his good friend, Dr. Adam Stanton, and his sister Anne Stanton—also Burden's former lover—are the children of a former governor. Burden therefore decides to take Duffy's advice and travels as a reporter on Stark's campaign for governor.