40 Facts About Joe Scarborough

Early Life and Education

Joe Scarborough's journey began in the South, where he grew up and laid the foundation for his future endeavors.

1. Joe Scarborough was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but grew up in Pensacola, Florida.
2. He attended Pensacola High School and later graduated from the University of Florida in 1985 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

Law Career

Before diving into politics, Scarborough honed his skills in the legal field.

3. Before entering politics, Scarborough practiced law in Pensacola, Florida.
4. He began his legal career in 1991 and gained significant experience in the field.

Political Career

Scarborough's political career took off in the mid-90s, marking his entry into the national spotlight.

5. Scarborough was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 as a Republican from Florida's 1st congressional district.
6. He was re-elected in 1996, 1998, and 2000.

Congressional Tenure

During his time in Congress, Scarborough made a name for himself with his conservative views and active participation.

7. During his tenure in Congress from 1995 to 2001, Scarborough was known for his conservative views and his support of the "Contract with America."
8. Scarborough served on several committees, including the Armed Services, Judiciary, Government Reform, and Education committees.
9. In 1998, he was named chairman of the Civil Service Committee.
10. In June 2000, Scarborough received a 95 percent lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union.

Media Ventures

Scarborough transitioned from politics to media, where he found a new platform to influence public discourse.

11. While still serving in Congress, Scarborough founded the free weekly Pensacola-area newspaper The Florida Sun in 1999.
12. The paper merged with Independent News in 2001.

Post-Congressional Career

After leaving Congress, Scarborough explored various professional avenues, including law and media.

13. After leaving Congress in 2001, Scarborough worked as an environmental lawyer in Florida.
14. In April 2003, Scarborough debuted Scarborough Country, a nightly primetime show on MSNBC.
15. The program covered politics and popular culture, with notable coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Morning Joe

Scarborough's most prominent media role came with the launch of Morning Joe.

16. In May 2007, Scarborough became one of the rotating hosts auditioning for the slot vacated by Imus in the Morning on MSNBC.
17. He won the slot permanently in July 2007 and has since co-hosted Morning Joe with Mika Brzezinski and Willie Geist.
18. Morning Joe is a weekday MSNBC news and talk show from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Eastern Time.
19. The show features in-depth discussions on the news of the day, helping drive the day's political conversation.
20. The show has received positive reviews, with The New York Times calling it "unlike anything else on morning television."

Awards and Recognition

Scarborough's influence and success have not gone unnoticed.

21. Scarborough was named in the 2011 Time 100 as one of the most influential people in the world.
22. His show Morning Joe has delivered MSNBC's biggest ever total viewer and demo audiences for that time period, beating third-place CNN in both categories.

Primetime Specials and Guest Appearances

Scarborough has expanded his media presence through various special programs and guest appearances.

23. Scarborough also hosts Joe Scarborough Presents, a primetime special dedicated to a single topic.
24. The 2023 premiere featured Joe Biden, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and Tony Blair.
25. He has appeared on various NBC and MSNBC news programs, including PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton and Meet the Press.
26. Scarborough has also appeared on late-night shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night With Seth Meyers.
27. In 2024, he appeared as himself on two episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Radio Show

Scarborough's media ventures also included a stint in radio.

28. On December 8, 2008, Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski began hosting a two-hour late-morning radio show on WABC (770 AM) in New York City.
29. The radio show was placed on hiatus in April 2010 and never returned.

Harvard Institute of Politics

Scarborough's commitment to public service extended to academia.

30. After leaving Congress, Scarborough was appointed to the President's Council on the 21st Century Workforce in 2002.
31. He served as a visiting fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Party Affiliation and Political Views

Scarborough's political journey has seen significant shifts over the years.

32. Scarborough was a member of the Republican Party during his congressional career but has since left the party.
33. He has been critical of former President Donald Trump and has feuded with him publicly.

Personal Life

Scarborough's personal life has also been a topic of interest for many.

34. Scarborough married Mika Brzezinski in 2018, after a long-term relationship.
35. His father, Charles Joseph Scarborough, was a lawyer and a judge.

Additional Facts

Scarborough's life and career are filled with interesting tidbits that paint a fuller picture of the man.

36. Scarborough’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Florida.
37. Before entering politics, Scarborough practiced law in Pensacola, Florida.
38. In 1993, Scarborough successfully led opposition to a proposal to raise property taxes in Pensacola by 65%.
39. Scarborough has been involved in several high-profile political feuds, including his public disagreements with former President Donald Trump.
40. As a co-host of Morning Joe, Scarborough has significantly influenced the day's political conversation through in-depth discussions and enterprise reporting.

Joe Scarborough: A Multifaceted Figure

Joe Scarborough's journey from a Republican politician to a prominent television host showcases his versatility. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Pensacola, Florida, he began his career as a lawyer before diving into politics. Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995 to 2001, he was known for his conservative views and support of the "Contract with America."

After leaving Congress, Scarborough transitioned to media, hosting shows like Scarborough Country and the highly successful Morning Joe. His influence extends beyond television, with appearances on various news programs and late-night shows. Scarborough's commitment to public service, environmental issues, and his audience has cemented his place as a significant figure in modern media. His evolution reflects a dynamic career dedicated to shaping public discourse and engaging with critical issues.