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Philadelphia's Kristen Welker Named New Moderator 'Meet The Press' Mod

If it's Sunday, Chuck Todd will now be able to sleep in. But Kristen Welker won't.

Chuck Todd and Kristen Welker

Chuck Todd and Kristen Welker

Photo Credit: Sam Barron, Gage Skidmore/wikipedia

The Arlington resident announced he is stepping down as moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press," the venerable Sunday morning news show. 

Todd had been moderator of the show since 2014 and his last show is expected to be in September. He said he will remain at NBC News.

Kristen Welker will be taking over the moderator's chair. Welker, a Philadelphia native who currently serves as chief White House correspondent and anchors Weekend Today, will be the first Black woman to moderate the show and the first woman to moderate since inaugural moderator Martha Rountree kicked off the show in 1946.

Todd said he wanted to make sure he didn't overstay his welcome and that he wanted to spend more time with his family. 

"I'd rather leave a little bit too soon than stay a tad bit too long," Todd told viewers on the Sunday, June 4 episode. "I've let work consume me for nearly 30 years. 

"I can't remember the last time I didn't wake up before 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. And as I've watched too many friends or family let work consume them before it's too late, I promised myself I wouldn't do that."

Welker has been ready to takeover for a long time, Todd said, and he said he is excited to pass the baton to her. Welker said she was honored to take on her new role.

"'Meet the Press' is truly one of the most important political broadcasts in history," Welker said. "I feel so grateful and humbled to all of those who built this amazing legacy."

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