Veteran journalist Ali Velshi is stepping into a defining new role on election night, taking over the network’s high-profile Big Board as chief data reporter for MS NOW, formerly known as MSNBC. The transition places Velshi at the center of the network’s numerical analysis for the upcoming midterm elections, carrying on an on-air tradition previously associated with Steve Kornacki. Kornacki transitioned to become NBC News’ chief data analyst following Comcast’s spin-off of MS NOW, USA Network, Syfy, E!, and other cable channels into the venture Versant.
In addition to his primary broadcast duties, Velshi’s election-night reporting will be supplemented by an auxiliary digital stream titled VelshiCast, offering a behind-the-scenes look broadcast on the network’s YouTube channel. Main coverage will feature familiar anchors including Rachel Maddow, Nicolle Wallace, Chris Hayes, Jen Psaki, Lawrence O’Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Michael Steele, Symone Sanders Townsend, Ari Melber, and Peter Alexander.
Reflecting on the state of political journalism and civic engagement, Velshi emphasized that election coverage extends far beyond partisan rivalry. Ahead of election night, he pointed to encouraging indicators of civic participation, noting that early and advance voting numbers across the states are running between 20% and 40% higher than during the previous midterm elections in 2022. He attributed the surge to voter enthusiasm and a widespread understanding of civic responsibility rather than party affiliation.
To make complex numerical trends accessible to viewers, Velshi outlined his approach to interpreting incoming results. Drawing on insights from a data panel that includes Kabir Khanna, head of data and analytics for the network, along with Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report and Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia’s Crystal Ball, Velshi stressed that raw numbers require deep contextualization rather than superficial presentation. He noted that while projections involve statistical ranges—such as estimating a Democratic pickup of anywhere from a minimum of eight House seats to the mid-30s—the ultimate goal is to equip viewers to interpret the data independently.
Coverage will also incorporate detailed voter polling released ahead of time, alongside tracking of ballot measures that reflect local sentiment and economic concerns. Velshi emphasized that economic factors remain central to nearly every election cycle, intersecting with broader questions about democratic institutions and civic participation.
The broader news industry is experiencing significant restructuring alongside the midterms. Following Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, newsrooms at CNN and CBS have faced buyouts and staff reductions, while competitor networks have seen shifting viewership figures. Within this shifting media landscape, Velshi described MS NOW as a leaner, highly competitive player capable of matching or exceeding industry expertise.
Discussing the evolution of political reporting since the 2024 election cycles, Velshi argued that mainstream journalists have grown more willing to confront political reality directly, despite facing administrative pushback, press credentials restrictions, and legal challenges. He maintained that the fundamental duty of the press remains unchanged: bearing witness for audiences and holding power accountable.
Live election coverage for MS NOW begins at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
