Son of 'Meet the Press' moderator Tim Russert says he's leaving NBC

(NBC)

NBC's Luke Russert, son of the late "Meet the Press" moderator Tim Russert, says that he's leaving NBC News to take some time away from political reporting.

His announcement Wednesday came on the eve of the national political conventions.

Russert, who is 30, has covered Capitol Hill for NBC News. He joined the network eight years ago shortly after his father died of a heart attack. He said in a note to colleagues that his career began in an unusual way and he never had the time to reflect, travel and figure out what his future should be.

Russert's last day at NBC will be on Friday.