Symone D. Sanders-Townsend and Melissa MurraySymone D. Sanders-Townsend photo

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend Biography

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend is an American political strategist, television host, author, and former White House adviser best known for her work on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and as a senior adviser and chief spokesperson to Vice President Kamala Harris. She later transitioned into television, becoming a prominent political commentator and host on MSNBC, now known as MS NOW. As of 2026, she co-hosts the network’s primetime program The Weeknight.

Quick Facts

  • Full Name: Symone Danielle Sanders-Townsend
  •  Date of Birth: December 10, 1989
  • Age: 36 years old as of 2026
  • Birthplace: Omaha, Nebraska, United States
  • Nationality: American
  • Profession: Political Strategist, Television Host, Author
  •  Education: Creighton University
  •  Husband: Shawn Townsend
  •  Married: July 15, 2022
  •  Children: No publicly confirmed children
  •  Famous For: Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign and serving as chief spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris
  •  Current Show: The Weeknight on MS NOW

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend Age and Birthday

Symone Sanders-Townsend was born on December 10, 1989, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. She is 36 years old as of 2026, and her zodiac sign is Sagittarius.

She grew up in North Omaha, where her early interest in communication and television helped shape her eventual career in political strategy and broadcasting.

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend Height and Weight

Symone Sanders-Townsend’s height and weight have not been reliably established in the available biographical sources. She is best known professionally for her work in political communications, government, and television.

Education

Sanders-Townsend attended Mercy High School in Omaha before enrolling at Creighton University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. During her college years, she also interned at a law firm, but ultimately pursued a career in political communications rather than law. Her education provided a foundation for the campaign strategy, public messaging, and media work that followed.

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend Parents and Family

Symone Sanders-Townsend is the daughter of Terri Sanders and Daniel Sanders. Her mother, Terri, has been associated with Omaha’s Black community through her work as a publisher of the Omaha Star newspaper and as executive director of the Great Plains Black History Museum.

Her father is a retired employee of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Growing up in Omaha, Symone developed an interest in public speaking and television, interests that eventually became central to her career.

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend Husband: Shawn Townsend

Symone Sanders-Townsend is married to Shawn Townsend, a public affairs and hospitality industry executive who previously served as Washington, D.C.’s director of the Office of Nightlife and Culture, a position popularly known as the city’s Night Mayor.

The couple married on July 15, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Townsend later became president and CEO of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington. Their relationship connects two careers shaped by public service, communications, and the political and business communities of the nation’s capital.

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend Career

Sanders-Townsend began building her career in political communications before becoming a nationally recognized campaign spokesperson. She worked in local politics in Omaha, including in the communications office of former Mayor Jim Suttle, and later served as deputy communications director for Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Chuck Hassebrook.

Her breakthrough came in 2015, when she joined Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign as national press secretary. At 25, she became widely recognized as the youngest presidential campaign press secretary on record. Her role brought her national attention and established her as a prominent voice in American political communications.

In 2016, Sanders-Townsend moved into television as a political commentator for CNN. She subsequently worked on Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign as a senior adviser, helping shape campaign messaging and communications.

After Biden won the election, she joined the Biden-Harris administration. She served as deputy assistant to President Biden and senior adviser and chief spokesperson to Vice President Kamala Harris, becoming the first Black woman to hold the vice president’s chief spokesperson position.

Sanders-Townsend left the White House in late 2021 to return to broadcasting. In May 2022, she launched her own MSNBC program, Symone, which focused on politics, culture, and current affairs. She later became a co-host of The Weekend before moving to the network’s primetime lineup.

As of 2026, Sanders-Townsend co-hosts The Weeknight on MS NOW alongside Michael Steele and Luke Russert. The program airs Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. Eastern. She also continues to participate in political discussions and public speaking engagements, drawing on her experience in presidential campaigns and the White House.

Book

Sanders-Townsend is the author of No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America, published in 2020. The book draws on her experiences in American politics and explores political debate, communication, and the challenges of speaking up in contentious public conversations. It added an author role to her work in political strategy and broadcasting.

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend Salary

Symone Sanders-Townsend is estimated to earn approximately $500,000 per year from her television and media career, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Her income also includes potential earnings from public speaking, political consulting, and book royalties. Her actual MS NOW contract has not been publicly confirmed.

Symone D. Sanders-Townsend Net Worth

Symone Sanders-Townsend has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Her wealth has been built through her career in political strategy, White House service, television hosting, consulting, public speaking, and publishing. The figure is an estimate rather than a verified financial disclosure

Social Media and Sources

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By Vic

Creative storyteller by day, passionate writer always. When not crafting compelling narratives, you’ll find me hiking hidden trails. Blending imagination with experience, one page at a time.

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