Symone Sanders-Townsend is a political strategist, television host, and political commentator who co-hosts MSNBC’s The Weeknight. She gained recognition as the youngest presidential press secretary in American history at age 25 while working for Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 campaign. The Omaha native later served as senior advisor to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign and chief spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris before joining MSNBC to host her own shows.
Quick Wiki/Bio About Symone Sanders
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Symone D. Sanders-Townsend |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | December 10, 1989 |
| Age | 36 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | Omaha, Nebraska, United States |
| Current residence | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Zodiac sign | Sagittarius |
| Religion | Christian |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 192 lbs (87 kg) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Dark Brown |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Shawn Townsend (m. 2022) |
| Children | None |
| Alma mater | Creighton University (BBA) |
| Profession | Political strategist, television host, political commentator, author |
| Net worth | $1 million – $5 million (estimated) |
Who is Symone Sanders-Townsend?
Symone Sanders-Townsend is a prominent American political strategist and television personality known for her work in Democratic politics and media.
She made history in 2016 when she became the youngest presidential press secretary at just 25 years old during Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.
Born and raised in North Omaha, Nebraska, Sanders-Townsend built a career breaking barriers in political communications.
She currently co-hosts MSNBC’s The Weeknight and The Weekend alongside Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele. Her career path includes serving as a senior advisor to President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign and later as chief spokesperson and senior advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris.
Before entering media full-time, Sanders-Townsend worked as a CNN political commentator and authored the book “No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America.”
How old is Symone Sanders? Age and birthday
Symone Sanders-Townsend is 36 years old as of January 2026. She was born on December 10, 1989, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Her zodiac sign is Sagittarius.
Symone Sanders’ height, weight, and body measurements
Symone Sanders-Townsend stands 5 feet 9 inches tall (175 cm) and weighs approximately 192 pounds (87 kg). She has dark brown eyes and black hair.
The television host has been open about her health journey and has shared her weight loss transformation with her audience over the years.
Career
Early political work
Sanders-Townsend’s political career began in her home state of Nebraska. She worked in the communications office of former Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle and served as deputy communications director for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chuck Hassebrook in 2014.
Her first job was at Time Out Foods in Omaha, a Black-owned restaurant, where she developed her work ethic and community connections.
Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign
In August 2015, Sanders-Townsend joined Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign as national press secretary.
At age 25, she became the youngest person to hold the position of presidential press secretary in American history.
She gained national attention for her energetic advocacy and ability to communicate the campaign’s message to diverse audiences.
During her tenure, Fusion magazine recognized her as one of 30 women under 30 who would shape the 2016 election. She left the campaign in June 2016 following the conclusion of the primaries.
Her work on the Sanders campaign established her reputation as a skilled communicator and political strategist.
CNN political commentator
In October 2016, CNN hired Sanders-Townsend as a political commentator and analyst. Rolling Stone magazine named her one of 16 Young Americans Shaping the 2016 Election.
As a CNN contributor, she provided political analysis and commentary on major news events, building her media presence and establishing herself as a trusted voice in political discourse.
Biden 2020 campaign
In April 2019, Sanders-Townsend joined former Vice President Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign as a senior advisor.
Her decision to work for Biden after serving Bernie Sanders drew attention and questions from progressives.
She played a key role in the campaign’s communications strategy and outreach to younger voters and communities of color. Her work helped Biden secure the Democratic nomination and win the 2020 presidential election.
Vice President Kamala Harris spokesperson
On November 29, 2020, Sanders-Townsend was named chief spokesperson and senior advisor for Vice President Kamala Harris.
She became the first Black woman to serve as a spokesperson to a Vice President of the United States. In this role, she managed communications for the Vice President’s office and served as a public face for Harris’ initiatives.
On December 1, 2021, Sanders-Townsend announced her resignation from the White House to return to broadcasting. She served in the role for approximately one year.
MSNBC career
In January 2022, MSNBC announced that Sanders-Townsend would host a weekend program for the network. Her show “Symone” premiered on May 7, 2022, airing on weekends on MSNBC and streaming on Peacock.
On November 30, 2023, MSNBC announced Sanders-Townsend would move to weekend mornings to co-anchor a new program called “The Weekend” alongside Alicia Menendez and Michael Steele.
The show premiered on January 7, 2024. Starting February 24, 2025, Sanders-Townsend and her co-hosts began hosting MSNBC’s weekday 7 pm ET newscast called “The Weeknight.”
Author
In 2020, Sanders-Townsend published her memoir “No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America” through Harper publishing.
The book shares her personal experiences of speaking up in political and social spaces, offering inspiration for young people to become change agents.
What is Symone Sanders’ net worth and salary?
As of January 2026, Symone Sanders-Townsend’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million. Her wealth comes from multiple income sources throughout her career.
Her MSNBC salary reportedly ranges between $57,000 and $150,000 annually, reflecting her position as a respected political analyst and host.
During her time working for Vice President Kamala Harris, public records show she earned an annual salary of $137,500.
She also generates income from speaking engagements through Keppler Speakers agency, book royalties from her 2020 memoir, and previous earnings from her CNN commentator role and political campaign work.
Is Symone Sanders married? Husband and relationship status
Symone Sanders-Townsend is married to Shawn Townsend, Washington D.C.’s former “Night Mayor.” Shawn Townsend served as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Night Life and Culture in the District of Columbia.
He currently works as President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW).
The couple got engaged on Easter Sunday 2021 and married on Friday, July 15, 2022, in a surprise wedding ceremony at the historic Larz Anderson House in Washington, D.C.
Their 100 guests attended what they believed was a regular party, only to discover it was actually a wedding celebration.
The intimate ceremony reflected the couple’s desire to keep their special day personal and meaningful.
The couple lives in Washington, D.C. Sanders-Townsend and her husband do not have children as of January 2026.
Symone Sanders’ family and early life
Symone Sanders-Townsend was raised in North Omaha, Nebraska, by her parents Terri Sanders and Daniel Sanders.
Her father, Daniel Sanders, is retired from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Her mother, Terri Sanders, is the former publisher of the Omaha Star newspaper and former executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum.
She attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and graduated from Mercy High School in 2008. As a child, Sanders-Townsend dreamed of hosting her own television show.
She would walk around her house pretending to be “Donna Burns,” an imaginary television host she created.
She attended Creighton University in Omaha, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2013.
While in college, she interned at a law firm, where she realized she didn’t want to pursue a career in law. This experience helped her discover her passion for political communications and advocacy.
Social media presence
As of January 2026, Symone Sanders-Townsend has 298,000 followers on Instagram and 384,000 followers on Twitter (X).
She uses her platforms to share behind-the-scenes content from The Weeknight, political commentary, personal moments with her husband, and advocacy for social justice issues.
Her Instagram bio describes her as “Co Host @weeknightmsnow. Wife. Nebraska lady. Lash and nail enthusiast. Culture queen.”
Sanders-Townsend actively engages with her audience through social media, often hosting Q&A sessions and sharing her perspectives on current events.
Her content blends professional political analysis with glimpses into her personal life, fashion choices, and cultural interests.
Fast facts about Symone Sanders-Townsend
- Symone Sanders-Townsend made history as the youngest presidential press secretary in American history at age 25.
- She is the first Black woman to serve as spokesperson to a Vice President of the United States.
- Her first job was working at Time Out Foods, a Black-owned restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska.
- She served as a Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics and USC Center for the Political Future.
- Sanders-Townsend’s surprise wedding in 2022 fooled all 100 guests who thought they were attending a regular party.
- She graduated from Creighton University with a business administration degree, not a communications or political science degree.
- In March 2025, Sanders-Townsend left the Democratic Party to become an Independent.
- She interned at a law firm during college but realized she didn’t want to pursue law as a career.
- Sanders-Townsend worked for both Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden’s presidential campaigns.
- She describes herself as a “lash and nail enthusiast” and frequently posts about beauty and fashion on social media.
Read more: Who is Tracy McCool? Age, net worth, husband, children, career, Fox 8
Wrapping up
Symone Sanders-Townsend has built a career defined by breaking barriers and speaking truth to power.
From becoming the youngest presidential press secretary in history to serving as the first Black woman spokesperson to a Vice President, she continues to make her mark in American politics and media.
Today, she co-hosts MSNBC’s The Weeknight, where she brings her unique perspective and energy to political discourse.
With her husband Shawn Townsend, she continues to live in Washington, D.C., balancing her television career with her passion for political advocacy.
References
- Wikipedia. “Symone Sanders-Townsend”.
- The New York Times. “Symone Sanders Bet on Biden, and Herself”.
- POLITICO. “Why Symone Sanders Went From Bernie to Biden”.
- People Magazine. “MSNBC’s Symone Sanders Weds Shawn Townsend in Surprise DC Wedding”.
- Harvard Institute of Politics. “Symone Sanders”.
- CNN. “Symone Sanders, Harris’ chief spokesperson, to leave White House”.
- Great Plains Black History Museum. “Symone D. Sanders”.
- Omaha World-Herald. “Omaha’s Symone Sanders will be chief spokeswoman for VP-elect Kamala Harris”.
- HarperCollins Publishers. “No, You Shut Up by Symone D. Sanders”.
Disclaimer: The information on Megapicsly.com is collected from trusted sources. However, we do not guarantee accuracy or completeness of celebrity profiles, net worth estimates, or biographical data. Readers should verify information independently. For corrections or inquiries, contact us at info@megapicsly.com.
