Veteran reporter John King will be replacing Lou Dobbs on CNN. John Klein, CNN president, said Thursday that King will move into the 7 p.m. ET slot that’s been vacated by Lou Dobbs.

Dobbs shocked TV viewers by revealing that after nearly 30 years at CNN, he was leaving to pursue other interests. The immediate speculation was that the controversial anchor, who has taken a hard stand on immigration issues, would land at the Fox News Channel, which has thrived in prime-time with opinionated hosts.

“Over the past six months, it’s become increasingly clear that strong winds of change have begun buffeting this country and affecting all of us,” Dobbs said. “And some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond my role here at CNN and to engage in constructive problem-solving, as well as to contribute positively to a better understanding of the great issues of our day. And to continue to do so in the most honest and direct language possible.”

King, CNN’s chief national correspondent and political point man, will take over the show early next year.  “The program will reflect what CNN is all about: straight facts from our anchors and the widest range of opinions from across the political spectrum,” CNN president Jonathan Klein said in a statement.

CNN is selling King’s new show as a “definitive political hour” that goes beyond the veneer of the day’s news.  “Every night,” says Klein, “he’ll share his passion and his insights about what is really going on in Washington and across America.”

“There is a lot of noise and conflict in our political discourse, which is fun to cover, but I’m convinced from my travels that people also thirst for more details as well as insight and context,” King said. “I’m looking forward to combining those conversations with top newsmakers, smart reporting and expert analysis.”

King came to CNN in 1997 from the Associated Press.