He’s an American journalist widely known for his role as the senior political editor at NBC News. Over the years, he’s become a familiar name in political journalism, especially through his contributions to the blog First Read, where he writes and edits insightful commentary. You’ll often spot him on MSNBC or making appearances on NBC’s Washington D.C. affiliate station, sharing analysis that reflects both depth and experience.
Before all the recognition, though, his journey began during his junior year at the University of Texas. That’s when he walked into the offices of the Daily Texan, the campus newspaper, and started writing as a columnist—an early sign of the passion that would define his career. From there, he pursued several internships across various magazines, steadily building his portfolio. Eventually, he landed a reporting position at National Journal Magazine, which helped lay the foundation for his next big step. In 2003, he joined NBC News, a move that would shape the trajectory of his professional life.
Born and raised in Texas, he eventually made the move to Washington D.C., where he immersed himself in the heart of American politics. On a personal note, he married Sasha Johnson in September 2007, and the couple welcomed a son named Caleb, adding joy and balance to his busy life in the public eye. Throughout it all, he’s remained a steady presence in political media—thoughtful, informed, and always evolving.
He is widely recognized for teaching a seminar in the Spring of 2018 at the University of Chicago, where he explored the topic of “What the Media Missed in 2016 & What Must Change in 2020.” This course attracted a lot of attention and is often mentioned when discussing his academic contributions during that period. The seminar, hosted by the University of Chicago, provided a critical look at media coverage and offered insights into how journalism could evolve moving forward. He used this platform to delve into key issues that had been overlooked and proposed meaningful changes for the future.