Symone Sanders-Townsend

{{Short description|African American political strategist and commentator (born 1989)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| image = file:SymoneDSandersTownsend (cropped).jpg

| caption = Sanders in 2022

| birth_date = {{nowrap|{{Birth date and age|1989|12|10}}}}

| birth_place = Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.

| party = Independent (2025–present)
Democratic (until 2025)

| education = Creighton University (BBA)

| spouse = {{marriage|Shawn Townsend|2022}}

| website = {{URL|symonedsanders.com|Official website}}

}}

Symone D. Sanders Townsend (born December 10, 1989){{Cite web|title=Sunday's birthdays|url=http://politi.co/2BZbnQR|access-date=December 2, 2020|website=POLITICO|date=December 10, 2017 |language=en}} is an American political strategist and political commentator who hosts MSNBC's The Weekend. She served as national press secretary for Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign (no relation). She left the campaign in June 2016, following the end of the primaries.{{Cite news|last1=Joyce|first1=Andrew|url=http://fusion.net/story/319109/symone-sanders-quits-sanders-campaign|title=Symone Sanders Quits As National Press Secretary for Bernie Sanders|newspaper=Fusion|date=June 26, 2016|access-date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026001838/http://fusion.net/story/319109/symone-sanders-quits-sanders-campaign/|url-status=live}} In October 2016, she was hired as a Democratic strategist and political commentator by CNN.{{cite web|url=http://symonedsanders.com/about|title=BIO – Symone D. Sanders|website=Symonedsanders.com|access-date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025235644/http://symonedsanders.com/about/|url-status=live}}

In April 2019, Sanders joined the 2020 presidential campaign of former vice president Joe Biden as a senior advisor,{{cite news|last=Floyd|first=Jessica A.|url=https://www.ebony.com/news/black-staff-matters-behind-the-scenes-biden-2020-team/|title=Black Staff Matters: Behind the Scenes with the Biden 2020 Team|work=Ebony|date=May 22, 2019|access-date=May 24, 2019|archive-date=May 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530084954/https://www.ebony.com/news/black-staff-matters-behind-the-scenes-biden-2020-team/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/symone-sanders-joe-biden-campaign_n_5cc2141ce4b031dc07efc3f4|title=Ex-Bernie Sanders Press Secretary Joins Biden's Campaign As Senior Adviser|newspaper=HuffPost|date=April 25, 2019|access-date=May 18, 2019|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517154644/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/symone-sanders-joe-biden-campaign_n_5cc2141ce4b031dc07efc3f4|url-status=live}} and after Biden won election, was named chief spokesperson and a senior advisor for Vice President Kamala Harris.{{cite news |last1=Linskey |first1=Annie |last2=Stein |first2=Jeff |title=Biden hires all-female senior communications team, names Neera Tanden director of OMB |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/biden-hires-all-female-senior-communications-team/2020/11/29/5b60b58e-3277-11eb-a997-1f4c53d2a747_story.html |access-date=November 30, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} On December 2, 2021, Sanders announced her resignation from the White House to return to broadcasting.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Jasmine |last2=Vazquez |first2=Maegan |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/01/politics/symone-sanders-leaving-white-house-harris/index.html |title=Symone Sanders, Harris' chief spokesperson, to leave White House |work=CNN |date=2021-12-02 |accessdate=2021-12-02 }} She currently co-hosts MSNBC's The Weekend and 7 pm ET weekday broadcasts with Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele.

Early life and education

Sanders was raised in North Omaha, Nebraska.{{cite news |last1=Sanderford |first1=Aaron |title=Omaha's Symone Sanders will be chief spokeswoman for VP-elect Kamala Harris |url=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 |access-date=November 30, 2020 |work=Omaha World-Herald |date=November 29, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} Her father, Daniel Sanders, is retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.{{cite news|url=http://www.omaha.com/news/politics/creighton-grad-symone-sanders-brings-trademark-energy-to-role-as/article_1683e000-ed83-51e9-a231-c7b910040f80.html|title=Creighton grad Symone Sanders brings trademark energy to role as Bernie Sanders' press secretary|author=Tysver, Robynn|newspaper=Omaha.com|access-date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=July 23, 2018|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} Her mother, Terri Sanders, is the former publisher of the Omaha Star and former executive director for the Great Plains Black History Museum.

She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School.{{cite news |title='We just saw what was happening and jumped in': Omaha's Symone Sanders on that protester takedown |url=https://nptelegraph.com/townnews/politics/we-just-saw-what-was-happening-and-jumped-in-omaha/article_dad8b8e4-2d2c-5cd2-97ef-9ab08b707606.html |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=The North Platte Telegraph |date=March 4, 2020 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} 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.{{cite news |last1=Leibovich |first1=Mark |title=Symone Sanders Bet on Biden, and Herself |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/03/us/politics/symone-sanders-joe-biden.html |access-date=2023-08-03 |work=The New York Times |url-access=limited |language=en |date=July 3, 2020 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203064355/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/03/us/politics/symone-sanders-joe-biden.html |url-status=live }}

Her first job was working at Time Out Foods in Omaha, a Black-owned restaurant.{{cite web |last1=Feller |first1=Madison |title=From Bernie to Biden: Symone Sanders on Her Historic Career and What's Next |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a34063328/symone-sanders-career-interview/ |website=ELLE |access-date=November 30, 2020 |date=September 24, 2020 |archive-date=December 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217174018/https://www.elle.com/culture/career-politics/a34063328/symone-sanders-career-interview/ |url-status=live }} She graduated from High School in 2008 from Mercy.

Sanders attended Creighton University, and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration.{{cite news |last1=Tysver |first1=Robynn |title=Creighton grad Symone Sanders brings trademark energy to role as Bernie Sanders' press secretary |url=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 |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=Omaha World-Herald |date=October 16, 2019 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }} While in college, she interned at a law firm, where she realized she didn't want to work in law.

Career

Sanders worked in the communications office of former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle, and she was deputy communications director for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chuck Hassebrook in 2014.

In August 2015, Sanders joined the Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign as the national press secretary. In December, Fusion listed Sanders as one of 30 women under 30 who would shape the 2016 election.{{cite news|url=http://fusion.net/video/256901/women-who-will-change-election|title=Meet the 30 Women Who Will Change the Election|newspaper=Fusion|access-date=October 27, 2016|archive-date=October 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028083528/http://fusion.net/video/256901/women-who-will-change-election/|url-status=live}}

In June 2016, she quit the Sanders campaign.{{cite news |last1=Landers |first1=Elizabeth |title=Sanders press secretary exits campaign |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/26/politics/sanders-press-secretary-exits-campaign/index.html |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=CNN |date=June 27, 2016 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026231751/https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/26/politics/sanders-press-secretary-exits-campaign/index.html |url-status=live }} Later that year, she joined CNN as an analyst and commentator,{{cite news |last1=Strauss |first1=Daniel |title=Why Symone Sanders Went From Bernie to Biden |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/12/22/symone-sanders-bernie-to-biden-088264 |access-date=October 23, 2020 |work=Politico |date=December 22, 2019 |archive-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025024318/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/12/22/symone-sanders-bernie-to-biden-088264 |url-status=live }} and was recognized by Rolling Stone magazine{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/16-young-americans-shaping-the-2016-election-20160502|title=16 Young Americans Shaping the 2016 Election|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=October 25, 2016|archive-date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025235914/http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/16-young-americans-shaping-the-2016-election-20160502|url-status=live}} as one of 16 Young Americans Shaping the 2016 Election.

She subsequently joined the presidential campaign of former vice president Joe Biden. In 2020, she published a memoir, No, You Shut Up, 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.{{Cite news |date=November 29, 2020 |title=Biden picks top campaign aides in key communications roles |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-communications-idUSKBN2890YK |access-date=November 29, 2020}} On December 1, 2021, Symone Sanders announced her departure from that role.{{Cite web |last1=Wright |first1=Jasmine |last2=Vazquez |first2=Maegan |date=December 2, 2021 |title=Symone Sanders, Harris' chief spokesperson, to leave White House |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/01/politics/symone-sanders-leaving-white-house-harris/index.html |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=CNN |language=en}}

Shortly thereafter, MSNBC announced she would host a weekend program for the network, as well as a program on Peacock's The Choice.{{Cite web |last=Tani |first=Max |title=Symone Sanders lands at MSNBC |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/10/symone-sanders-msnbc-526824 |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=POLITICO |date=January 10, 2022 |language=en}} The new MSNBC program, Symone, premiered on May 7, 2022.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=2022-03-11 |title=Symone Sandes' New MSNBC Show To Debut On May 7 |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/symone-sanders-msnbc-show-1234976407/ |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-19 |title=Symone Ratings |url=https://ustvdb.com/networks/msnbc/shows/symone/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=ustvdb.com |language=en}}

On November 30, 2023, MSNBC announced that Sanders would move to weekend mornings to anchor a new program, The Weekend, along with Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele. Her weekend show on MSNBC and on Peacock, Symone, ended on January 7, 2024, with The Weekend premiering on the same day.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=2023-11-30 |title=MSNBC To Drop Mehdi Hasan's Show, Launch 'The Weekend' As Part Of Overhaul Of Saturday And Sunday Lineup |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/msnbc-weekend-mehdi-hasan-1235644017/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=Deadline}}

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 Joy Reid's The ReidOut.{{cite news|url=https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/tv/msnbc-lineup-rachel-maddow-joy-reid-jen-psaki-symone-sanders-townsend-20250224.html|title=Big changes coming to MSNBC as new boss from Philly takes over|first=Rob|last=Tornoe|publisher=Philadelphia Inquirer|date=February 24, 2025|accessdate=February 25, 2025}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=JACKSON WALKER {{!}} The National News |date=2025-03-17 |title=MSNBC host renounces Democratic Party after Schumer backs GOP funding bill |url=https://wjla.com/news/nation-world/msnbc-host-renounces-democratic-party-after-schumer-backs-gop-funding-bill |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=WJLA |language=en}}

Personal life

Sanders-Townsend's husband is Shawn Townsend, Washington D.C.'s former "Night Mayor".{{cite news |last1=Terris |first1=Ben |title=She's chasing a Washington dream. He's the Night Mayor. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/symone-sanders-kamala-harris-biden-dc-normal/2021/05/07/e1de79fe-a8ef-11eb-8d25-7b30e74923ea_story.html |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=12 May 2021}} The couple wed on Friday, July 15, 2022.[https://people.com/politics/symone-sanders-marries-shawn-townsend-surprise-dc-wedding/ Symone Sanders Weds Shawn Townsend in Surprise D.C. Ceremony] People Retrieved August 27, 2022 They live in Washington, D.C.{{cite news |last1=Linskey |first1=Annie |title=Symone Sanders, Biden's top African American aide, faces pressure from all sides |url=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 |access-date=November 30, 2020 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 3, 2020 |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=live }}