"My crush on Steve Kornacki is probably the most confusing in all my years because he only comes to me in times of extreme anxiety and crisis."
Election Day is here, and so is America's 'charttrob', NBC News National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki. While the final rally-packed sprints for the candidates may be over, game day is just beginning for the internet's most beloved results analyst and his quadrennial version of the Super Bowl.
Voted one of People Magazine's Sexiest Men of 2020, Mr. Kornacki is strict to his sartorial choices: A diagonal striped necktie, white Oxford collar, shirt sleeves rolled just below the elbow, khaki trousers, and athletic sneakers that are ready to run circles around a touchscreen. It's been the chosen on-screen ready-to-wear for Mr. Kornacki each election, frequently accessorized with a twin wire bound notebook and pocket calculator.
"That attention to detail, his cadence, the passion for numbers -- I can see his note scribblings on air," said Marissa Rand, a 41-year-old Los Angeles-based therapist about her affection toward the election analyst. "Elections are anxiety provoking; there's something about him that's just like a human Xanax for me."
A quick search on X yields an outpouring of endearment from both sides of the aisle for the analyst, "Don't forget to leave milk and cookies out for Steve Kornacki tonight", one post read, while another user wrote, "Happy Steve Kornacki Eve to all of those who celebrate".
Some have even dubbed Mr. Kornacki a style influencer. In November 2020, GAP reported a dramatic increase of sales of their now-retired Straight Fit Khaki Trousers in Palomino Brown after Mr. Kornacki wore them during election week coverage. The numbers sold online increased by 90%, the fashion retailer reported four years ago.
This year for Election Day, Mr. Kornacki has opted for a black and white diagonal striped neck tie - deviating from his signature maroon and blue - grey trousers in lieu of the brown khaki he's made famous, and a monochromatic grey running shoe.
Steve Kornacki's election coverage and tireless number-crunching has even gained him celebrity fans like Chrissy Teigen and Leslie Jones over the years.
When asked about her broadcast viewing choices, Ms. Rand seemed to voice the internet's general infatuation: "Kornacki is the only map daddy for me."