In a move that has been anticipated for some time, rumored, and wished for by some, NBC News announced this weekend that Chuck Todd is leaving his position as host of Meet the Press and will be replaced by Kristen Welker. The transition will be complete in September.
Making the announcement – and no doubt having a role in the decision making related to the move – is former Hartford Courant reporter Carrie Budoff Brown who is now senior vice president of politics at NBC News.
“In a memo to staff members, NBC News’ president of editorial, Rebecca Blumenstein, and NBC News’ senior vice president of politics, Carrie Budoff Brown, hailed “Chuck’s thoughtful and passionate leadership.”
Welker is one of a small group of political reporters who became known as the “road warriors” during the 2016 presidential campaign for their reporting from the field. That group included Hallie Jackson(WFSB) and Katy Tur. All three women have moved on since then to assume key roles at NBC News.
Welker has worked at WLNE in Providence and is a graduate of Harvard University which means she has almost certainly driven through Connecticut. Perhaps on more than one occasion.
