Michele Norris steps down from NPR as husband joins Obama team

Michele Norris: In a note sent to NPR staff Monday and posted on the network's website, Michele Norris says her husband's new role could make it difficult to continue hosting the show.

Michele Norris, host of NPR's 'All Things Considered,' is seen in this 2007 file photo.

Stephen Voss/NPR

October 24, 2011

NPR host Michele Norris is temporarily stepping down from the afternoon news show "All Things Considered" because her husband has taken a senior role in President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

In a note sent to NPR staff Monday and posted on the network's website, Norris says her husband's new role could make it difficult to continue hosting the show. She says she is temporarily stepping away until after the 2012 elections.

Norris's husband, Broderick Johnson, is a senior adviser to the Obama campaign.

Norris says she will recuse herself from all election coverage but will continue reporting for NPR on other subjects. She steps down as host at the end of the week.

"All Things Considered" is also hosted by Robert Siegel and Melissa Block.