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Joe Scarborough

Joe Scarborough is an American television host, political commentator, attorney, and former politician.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Joe Scarborough is an American television host, political commentator, attorney, and former politician. He is best known as a co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and previously represented Florida’s 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Joe Scarborough was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1963. Public biographical listings identify him as a lawyer and note his legal education before entering politics.

Political career

Scarborough was elected as a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida’s 1st congressional district and served for three terms, from 1995 to 2001. He later left elected office and eventually changed his party affiliation to independent.

Broadcasting career

After Congress, Scarborough joined MSNBC and hosted Scarborough Country from 2003 to 2007. He then became a co-host of Morning Joe alongside Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist.

Public profile and writing

Scarborough is known as a prominent conservative-turned-independent political commentator in U.S. cable news. Sources also describe him as an author and columnist who has written for national publications.

Key facts

  • Scarborough served in the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida’s 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2001.
  • He later joined MSNBC and hosted Scarborough Country before becoming a co-host of Morning Joe in 2007.
  • Morning Joe is a weekday political news and talk program on MSNBC/MS NOW.
  • Scarborough announced in 2017 that he was leaving the Republican Party and becoming an independent.
  • He has also written books and contributed opinion pieces to major publications.
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Canadian context

Morning Joe and Scarborough’s political commentary are widely followed by Canadian audiences interested in U.S. politics and media.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Joe Scarborough?
Joe Scarborough is an American television host, political commentator, attorney, and former Republican congressman best known for Morning Joe.
What office did Joe Scarborough hold?
He served as the U.S. representative for Florida’s 1st congressional district from 1995 to 2001.
What show is Joe Scarborough known for?
He is best known as a co-host of Morning Joe on MSNBC/MS NOW.
Was Joe Scarborough a Republican?
Yes. He was elected as a Republican, and later announced that he had become an independent.
What did Joe Scarborough do before Morning Joe?
Before Morning Joe, he hosted MSNBC’s Scarborough Country from 2003 to 2007.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Scarborough
    Supports: Birth date, occupation, political career, and Morning Joe co-host role.
  2. C-SPAN — https://www.c-span.org/person/joe-scarborough/37050/
    Supports: Biographical identification as television host, attorney, political commentator, former politician, and Morning Joe co-host.
  3. CBS News — https://www.cbsnews.com/news/morning-joe-scarborough-leaving-republican-party/
    Supports: Announcement that Scarborough left the Republican Party to become an independent.
  4. JoeScarborough.com — https://joescarborough.com/
    Supports: Congressional service, Morning Joe role, and general career summary.
  5. The Hill — https://thehill.com/people/joe-scarborough/
    Supports: Education, residence, family, and independent political affiliation.