MS NOW has selected Ali Velshi to take over the role previously held by Steve Kornacki during the network’s election coverage.
Velshi will operate the network’s “big board” full of election map data, results, and insights during the midterm elections later this year.
He replaces Kornacki, who departed MS NOW last year to remain with NBC News during the Versant split away from NBCUniversal.
The data analyst position on election night coverage for MS NOW is similar to that of John King at CNN and Bill Hemmer at Fox News.
“On big political nights, the numbers tell the story of participation, power, and choice. Voters decide elections, and the data lets us watch those decisions take shape in real time,” said Velshi. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to guide viewers through primaries, election nights, and major political moments with context, transparency, and a focus on the facts.”
Velshi joined MS NOW in 2016 after previously working at CNN and Al Jazeera America. He has since helmed his own weekend show and also worked alongside Stephanie Ruhle in the network’s lineup.
“I’ve had the privilege of learning from Ali for the last twenty-plus years in various newsrooms. One of his many gifts is his unique ability to take complex data and make it digestible,” said Rebecca Kutler, president of MS NOW, in a statement. “Ali will guide our audience through the real-time information that will determine the outcomes of the midterm and presidential elections. I’m thrilled Ali will bring his understanding of public opinion and voters to our election coverage in the years ahead.”
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