Shawna Thomas Named MS NOW Political Director Following CBS Mornings Departure

MS NOW announced on Wednesday that Shawna Thomas, who concluded her five-year role as executive producer of CBS Mornings last month, will join the network as its political director.

Thomas will oversee MS NOW’s political unit, managing coverage of campaigns and elections leading up to the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race. She will also appear across the network’s platforms, including its linear broadcast channel.

Her start date is set for June 8. Politico was the first to report the appointment.

Thomas’ Vision for MS NOW’s Political Coverage

“I’m excited to help inform an audience that craves context and meaning, along with the political machinations of the moment.”

“It’s no secret that I’ve missed Washington, D.C., and this is a homecoming of sorts.”

Reconnecting with MS NOW’s Past and Present

Thomas’ hiring reunites her with several MS NOW personalities from their time at NBC News, where she previously worked as a producer covering the White House and Capitol Hill. She also served as a senior producer and senior digital editor for Meet the Press.

Among the journalists she produced for at NBC News are Peter Alexander, who was hired by MS NOW from NBC News, and Luke Russert, who was promoted to co-host of The Weeknight as part of a recent programming overhaul.

Extensive Background in Political Journalism

Before her tenure at CBS Mornings, Thomas was the Washington bureau chief for Vice News. She also held the role of content development executive at Quibi, the short-lived streaming platform.

MS NOW’s Strategic Move for 2028 Election Coverage

“Bringing Shawna on board strengthens our ability to position MS NOW at the center of the 2028 election, which is expected to be one of the most competitive in recent history,” said Sudeep Reddy, Washington bureau chief of MS NOW. “Given the scale, reach, and impact of our audience, we are well-positioned to play a leading role, with the road to the midterms and the White House running through MS NOW.”

MS NOW’s Growth and Expansion

Over the past year, MS NOW has been building its independent newsgathering division following its separation from Versant’s split with Comcast, which previously linked the cable network to NBC News. The network has since hired dozens of journalists and formed partnerships with organizations such as the Marshall Project and the U.K.’s Sky News.