# Symone Sanders-Townsend

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American political strategist and commentator (born 1989)

Symone Sanders-Townsend Sanders in 2022 Personal details Born (1989-12-10) December 10, 1989 (age 36) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. Party Independent (2025–present) Democratic (until 2025) Spouse Shawn Townsend ​ (m. 2022)​ Education Creighton University (BBA) Website Official website

**Symone Danielle Sanders-Townsend**[1] (born December 10, 1989)[2][3] is an American political strategist and political commentator who hosts [MS NOW](/source/MS_NOW)'s *The Weeknight*. A former member of the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(United_States)), she served as national press secretary for [Bernie Sanders](/source/Bernie_Sanders)' [2016 presidential campaign](/source/Bernie_Sanders_2016_presidential_campaign). In October 2016, she was hired as a political commentator by [CNN](/source/CNN).[4]

In April 2019, Sanders joined the 2020 presidential campaign of former vice president [Joe Biden](/source/Joe_Biden) as a senior advisor,[5][6] and after Biden won election, was named chief spokesperson and a senior advisor for Vice President [Kamala Harris](/source/Kamala_Harris).[7] On December 2, 2021, Sanders announced her resignation from the White House to return to broadcasting.[8] She currently co-hosts MS NOW's *[The Weekend](/source/The_Weekend_(2024_TV_series))* and 7 pm ET weekday broadcasts with [Alicia Menendez](/source/Alicia_Menendez) and [Michael Steele](/source/Michael_Steele).

## Early life and education

Sanders was raised in [North Omaha, Nebraska](/source/North_Omaha%2C_Nebraska).[9] Her father, Daniel Sanders, is retired from the [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers](/source/U.S._Army_Corps_of_Engineers).[10] Her mother, Terri Sanders, is the former publisher of the *[Omaha Star](/source/Omaha_Star)* and former executive director for the [Great Plains Black History Museum](/source/Great_Plains_Black_History_Museum).[9][10]

She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School.[11] As a child, Sanders wanted to grow up to host her own television show. She used to walk around the house acting as Donna Burns, an imaginary television host.[2]

Her first job was working at Time Out Foods in [Omaha](/source/Omaha%2C_Nebraska), a Black-owned restaurant.[12] She graduated in 2008 from [Mercy High School](/source/Mercy_High_School_(Omaha%2C_Nebraska)).[11]

Sanders attended [Creighton University](/source/Creighton_University), and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.[13] While in college, she interned at a law firm, where she realized she didn't want to work in law.[12]

## Career

Sanders worked in the communications office of former Omaha Mayor [Jim Suttle](/source/Jim_Suttle), and she was deputy communications director for Democratic gubernatorial candidate [Chuck Hassebrook](/source/Chuck_Hassebrook) in 2014.[13][11]

In August 2015, Sanders joined the Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign as the national press secretary.[13] In December, *[Fusion](/source/Fusion_(Kent_State_University))* listed Sanders as one of 30 women under 30 who would shape the 2016 election.[14]

In June 2016, following the conclusion of the primaries, she quit the Sanders campaign.[15] Later that year, she joined [CNN](/source/CNN) as an analyst and commentator,[16] and was recognized by *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)* magazine[17] as one of 16 Young Americans Shaping the 2016 Election.

In 2019, Sanders-Townsend served as a Fellow at the [USC Center for the Political Future](/source/USC_Center_for_the_Political_Future).[18]

She subsequently joined the presidential campaign of former vice president [Joe Biden](/source/Joe_Biden).[5][6] In 2020, she published a memoir, *No, You Shut Up,*[2] relating her personal experiences of speaking up to effectively fight ideological battles.

On November 29, 2020, Sanders was named chief spokesperson and a senior advisor for Vice President [Kamala Harris](/source/Kamala_Harris).[19] On December 1, 2021, Symone Sanders announced her departure from that role.[20]

Shortly thereafter, [MSNBC](/source/MSNBC) announced she would host a weekend program for the network, as well as a program on [Peacock](/source/Peacock_(streaming_service))'s The Choice.[21] The new MSNBC program, *Symone*, premiered on May 7, 2022.[22]

As of November 19, 2023 the show was the 24th most popular show on MSNBC and 292nd overall on TV, watched by a total number of 438,000 people.[23]

On November 30, 2023, MSNBC announced that Sanders would move to weekend mornings to anchor a new program, *The Weekend*, along with [Alicia Menendez](/source/Alicia_Menendez) and [Michael Steele](/source/Michael_Steele). Her weekend show on MSNBC and on Peacock, *Symone*, ended on January 7, 2024, with *The Weekend* premiering on the same day.[24]

Starting February 24, 2025, Sanders and her other co-hosts on *The Weekend* would co-host a newscast on MSNBC's weekday 7pm ET time slot which was previously occupied by [Joy Reid](/source/Joy_Reid)'s *The ReidOut.*[25] On March 15, 2025, Sanders-Townsend announced that she was leaving the Democratic Party to become an Independent, citing the party's response to a Republican government funding bill.[26]

## Personal life

Sanders-Townsend's husband is Shawn Townsend,[2] Washington D.C.'s former "[Night Mayor](/source/Night_mayor_(municipal_title))".[27] The couple wed on Friday, July 15, 2022.[28] They live in Washington, D.C.[29]

## Works

- *No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America*. New York: Harper (2020). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0062942689](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0062942689)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Symone Sanders: Biography, Net Worth, Career & Untold Facts 2025"](https://republicmagazine.co.uk/symone-sanders/). *Republic Magazine*. November 12, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2026.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Leibovich_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Leibovich_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Leibovich_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Leibovich_2-3) Leibovich, Mark (July 3, 2020). ["Symone Sanders Bet on Biden, and Herself"](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/03/us/politics/symone-sanders-joe-biden.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201203064355/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/03/us/politics/symone-sanders-joe-biden.html) from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Sunday's birthdays"](http://politi.co/2BZbnQR). *POLITICO*. December 10, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["BIO – Symone D. Sanders"](http://symonedsanders.com/about). *Symonedsanders.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161025235644/http://symonedsanders.com/about/) from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ebony_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ebony_5-1) Floyd, Jessica A. (May 22, 2019). ["Black Staff Matters: Behind the Scenes with the Biden 2020 Team"](https://www.ebony.com/news/black-staff-matters-behind-the-scenes-biden-2020-team/). *[Ebony](/source/Ebony_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200530084954/https://www.ebony.com/news/black-staff-matters-behind-the-scenes-biden-2020-team/) from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HuffPost_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HuffPost_6-1) ["Ex-Bernie Sanders Press Secretary Joins Biden's Campaign As Senior Adviser"](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/symone-sanders-joe-biden-campaign_n_5cc2141ce4b031dc07efc3f4). *HuffPost*. April 25, 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190517154644/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/symone-sanders-joe-biden-campaign_n_5cc2141ce4b031dc07efc3f4) from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 18, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Linskey, Annie; Stein, Jeff (November 29, 2020). ["Biden hires all-female senior communications team, names Neera Tanden director of OMB"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-hires-all-female-senior-communications-team/2020/11/29/5b60b58e-3277-11eb-a997-1f4c53d2a747_story.html). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201130015719/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-hires-all-female-senior-communications-team/2020/11/29/5b60b58e-3277-11eb-a997-1f4c53d2a747_story.html) from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Wright, Jasmine; Vazquez, Maegan (December 2, 2021). ["Symone Sanders, Harris' chief spokesperson, to leave White House"](https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/01/politics/symone-sanders-leaving-white-house-harris/index.html). *[CNN](/source/CNN)*. Retrieved December 2, 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Sanderford_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Sanderford_9-1) Sanderford, Aaron (November 29, 2020). ["Omaha's Symone Sanders will be chief spokeswoman for VP-elect Kamala Harris"](https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/omahas-symone-sanders-will-be-chief-spokeswoman-for-vp-elect-kamala-harris/article_0c8e95f0-b6fc-51b3-983a-593bc7d9c2e3.html). *Omaha World-Herald*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201130042009/https://omaha.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/omahas-symone-sanders-will-be-chief-spokeswoman-for-vp-elect-kamala-harris/article_0c8e95f0-b6fc-51b3-983a-593bc7d9c2e3.html) from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-O_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-O_10-1) Tysver, Robynn. ["Creighton grad Symone Sanders brings trademark energy to role as Bernie Sanders' press secretary"](https://www.omaha.com/news/politics/creighton-grad-symone-sanders-brings-trademark-energy-to-role-as/article_1683e000-ed83-51e9-a231-c7b910040f80.html). *Omaha.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180723122904/https://www.omaha.com/news/politics/creighton-grad-symone-sanders-brings-trademark-energy-to-role-as/article_1683e000-ed83-51e9-a231-c7b910040f80.html) from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2016.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-npt_030420_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-npt_030420_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-npt_030420_11-2) ["'We just saw what was happening and jumped in': Omaha's Symone Sanders on that protester takedown"](https://nptelegraph.com/townnews/politics/we-just-saw-what-was-happening-and-jumped-in-omaha/article_dad8b8e4-2d2c-5cd2-97ef-9ab08b707606.html). *The North Platte Telegraph*. March 4, 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201026164923/https://nptelegraph.com/townnews/politics/we-just-saw-what-was-happening-and-jumped-in-omaha/article_dad8b8e4-2d2c-5cd2-97ef-9ab08b707606.html) from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Feller_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Feller_12-1) Feller, Madison (September 24, 2020). ["From Bernie to Biden: Symone Sanders on Her Historic Career and What's Next"](https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a34063328/symone-sanders-career-interview/). *ELLE*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201217174018/https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a34063328/symone-sanders-career-interview/) from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-owh_101619_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-owh_101619_13-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-owh_101619_13-2) Tysver, Robynn (October 16, 2019). ["Creighton grad Symone Sanders brings trademark energy to role as Bernie Sanders' press secretary"](https://omaha.com/state-and-regional/creighton-grad-symone-sanders-brings-trademark-energy-to-role-as-bernie-sanders-press-secretary/article_1683e000-ed83-51e9-a231-c7b910040f80.html). *Omaha World-Herald*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201026165205/https://omaha.com/state-and-regional/creighton-grad-symone-sanders-brings-trademark-energy-to-role-as-bernie-sanders-press-secretary/article_1683e000-ed83-51e9-a231-c7b910040f80.html) from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Meet the 30 Women Who Will Change the Election"](http://fusion.net/video/256901/women-who-will-change-election). *Fusion*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161028083528/http://fusion.net/video/256901/women-who-will-change-election/) from the original on October 28, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-cnn_062716_15-0)** Landers, Elizabeth (June 27, 2016). ["Sanders press secretary exits campaign"](https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/26/politics/sanders-press-secretary-exits-campaign/index.html). *CNN*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201026231751/https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/26/politics/sanders-press-secretary-exits-campaign/index.html) from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-politico_122219_16-0)** Strauss, Daniel (December 22, 2019). ["Why Symone Sanders Went From Bernie to Biden"](https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/12/22/symone-sanders-bernie-to-biden-088264). *Politico*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201025024318/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/12/22/symone-sanders-bernie-to-biden-088264) from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["16 Young Americans Shaping the 2016 Election"](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/16-young-americans-shaping-the-2016-election-20160502). *Rolling Stone*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161025235914/http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/16-young-americans-shaping-the-2016-election-20160502) from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Symone Sanders-Townsend"](https://dornsife.usc.edu/center-for-political-future/fellows-program/former-fellows/symone-sanders-townsend/). *USC Center for the Political Future*. Retrieved October 27, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Biden picks top campaign aides in key communications roles"](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-communications-idUSKBN2890YK). *[Reuters](/source/Reuters)*. November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Wright, Jasmine; Vazquez, Maegan (December 2, 2021). ["Symone Sanders, Harris' chief spokesperson, to leave White House"](https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/01/politics/symone-sanders-leaving-white-house-harris/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved February 26, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Tani, Max (January 10, 2022). ["Symone Sanders lands at MSNBC"](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/10/symone-sanders-msnbc-526824). *POLITICO*. Retrieved June 11, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Johnson, Ted (March 11, 2022). ["Symone Sandes' New MSNBC Show To Debut On May 7"](https://deadline.com/2022/03/symone-sanders-msnbc-show-1234976407/). *Deadline*. Retrieved June 11, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Symone Ratings"](https://ustvdb.com/networks/msnbc/shows/symone/). *ustvdb.com*. November 19, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Johnson, Ted (November 30, 2023). ["MSNBC To Drop Mehdi Hasan's Show, Launch 'The Weekend' As Part Of Overhaul Of Saturday And Sunday Lineup"](https://deadline.com/2023/11/msnbc-weekend-mehdi-hasan-1235644017/). *Deadline*. Retrieved November 30, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Tornoe, Rob (February 24, 2025). ["Big changes coming to MSNBC as new boss from Philly takes over"](https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/tv/msnbc-lineup-rachel-maddow-joy-reid-jen-psaki-symone-sanders-townsend-20250224.html). Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved February 25, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Walker, Jackson (March 17, 2025). ["MSNBC host renounces Democratic Party after Schumer backs GOP funding bill"](https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/msnbc-host-renounces-democratic-party-after-schumer-backs-gop-funding-bill). *WJLA*. Retrieved March 17, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Terris, Ben. ["She's chasing a Washington dream. He's the Night Mayor"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/symone-sanders-kamala-harris-biden-dc-normal/2021/05/07/e1de79fe-a8ef-11eb-8d25-7b30e74923ea_story.html). *Washington Post*. Retrieved May 12, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** [*Symone Sanders Weds Shawn Townsend in Surprise D.C. Ceremony*](https://people.com/politics/symone-sanders-marries-shawn-townsend-surprise-dc-wedding/) *[People](/source/People_(magazine))* Retrieved August 27, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Linskey2_29-0)** Linskey, Annie (July 3, 2020). ["Symone Sanders, Biden's top African American aide, faces pressure from all sides"](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/symone-sanders-bidens-top-african-american-aide-faces-pressure-from-all-sides/2020/07/03/3bebaa6e-b49c-11ea-aca5-ebb63d27e1ff_story.html). *[The Washington Post](/source/The_Washington_Post)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201130162524/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/symone-sanders-bidens-top-african-american-aide-faces-pressure-from-all-sides/2020/07/03/3bebaa6e-b49c-11ea-aca5-ebb63d27e1ff_story.html) from the original on November 30, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2020.

* ["Symone Sanders Net Worth 2026: MSNBC Salary, Income, Assets & Career"](https://digave.co.uk/symone-sanders-net-worth/). *Digave*. May 2, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Symone D. Sanders](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Symone_D._Sanders).

- [Official website](https://symonedsanders.com/)

- [Appearances](https://www.c-span.org/person/?98225) on [C-SPAN](/source/C-SPAN)

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Symone Sanders-Townsend](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symone_Sanders-Townsend) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symone_Sanders-Townsend?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.