Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, has served as the moderator of several debates among candidates for elected office this fall. They include serving as moderator for the Senate of Virginia 30th District Debate (Manassas), the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Debate (Manassas), the Senate of Virginia 27th District Debate (Fredericksburg) and the Virginia House of Delegates 65th District Debate (Fredericksburg). The two Fredericksburg debates took place at the University of Mary Washington.
Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Virginia Republicans ignore Donald Trump (esdelatino.com)
“Republicans are much better off with early voting than without it, and we see, particularly in some of the early voting statistics, that Republicans are close to catching up with Democrats in early voting,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a science professor. policies at the University of Washington. University of Mary Washington, said The Age of Prince Williams .
Why abortion and education are key issues in the Virginia election (WTOP)
“If Republicans control both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office, you can expect significant restrictions on abortion in Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political-science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
https://wtop.com/virginia/2023/10/why-abortion-education-are-key-issues-in-the-virginia-election/
November to Remember: Youngkin bets 15-week abortion cap will deliver 2023 GOP takeover (Washington Examiner; The Gazette)
According to a University of Mary Washington poll, 53% of Virginians say the overturn of Roe will be a “major factor” in how they vote this year.
Virginia Republicans Are Ignoring Donald Trump (Newsweek)
“Republicans are much better off with early voting than not, and we’re seeing, particularly in some of the early voting statistics, that Republicans are coming close to catching up to Democrats on early voting,” Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, told the Prince Williams Times.
Virginia Is For Lovers Who Vote Against Anti-LGBTQ, Forced-Birth Republicans (Wonkette)
“When you talk about where Virginia elections are won and lost, you’re really talking about those ‘outer ring’ suburban communities,” said [Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, and a longtime Virginia state politics watcher.]
As blue wave ebbs, Prince William is again a battleground (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said the Senate race represents a referendum both for Roem, after three terms in the House, and Youngkin, who is trying to gain control of the legislature for the final two years of his term — if he does not run for the presidency, as some Republican donors have urged him to do.
Virginia GOP candidate hopes AR-15 giveaway offer kickstarts write-in race (The Washington Post; Newser; MSN)
“If a write-in candidate fails, as they usually do, the actual cost out of pocket to make this promise is zero,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political science professor. “Politicians — especially write-ins — have to do more and more to get noticed and giving away guns can get you noticed.”
Gov. Glenn Youngkin courts donors ahead of high-stakes Va. elections (WJBD; WSJM)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst at the University of Mary Washington, told ABC News that while he believes Youngkin is unlikely to launch a presidential run this election, “It is much better to be talked about than not.”
ELECTION 2023: Early vote tally continues to climb for big Virginia election (The Henrico Citizen)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, believes Republicans have steered clear of early voting in previous election cycles due to apprehension from former President Donald Trump.
Del. Karen Greenhalgh and Michael Feggans vying to represent House District 97 (Daily Press)
A recent University of Mary Washington poll of registered and likely voters in Virginia found more than half (53%) indicated abortion was a top concern going into the election.
Biden’s Trip to Israel (CTV News)
“Well, I think it serves a couple of key purposes. Obviously, Israel is planning a pretty major counter offensive in the respect to the rocket attacks and the hostage taking and the murder of civilians in a border area, ” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin courts donors ahead of high-stakes Va. elections (ABC News)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst at the University of Mary Washington, told ABC News that while he believes Youngkin is unlikely to launch a presidential run this election, “It is much better to be talked about than not.”
With about two weeks left for early voting in Virginia, House District 71 race has most early votes, according to VPAP (The Virginian-Pilot)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, believes Republicans have steered clear of early voting in previous election cycles due to apprehension from former President Donald Trump. “Republicans are much better off with early voting than not, and we’re seeing, particularly in some of the early voting statistics, that Republicans are coming close to catching up to Democrats on early voting,” Farnsworth said.
Fredericksburg area to decide close legislative races (WVTF)
The views of candidates in Senate District 27 are not surprising when you consider their political parties. In a debate hosted by the University of Mary Washington, Republican Tara Durant said she would support a ban on abortion after 15 weeks – the position backed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. Democrat Joel Griffin disagreed.
In high-stakes election for control of Virginia General Assembly, what role will Northern Virginia play? (WTOP)
“What you see across the commonwealth is really very much a 50-50 contest,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, and a longtime Virginia state politics watcher.
EARLY VOTE TALLY CONTINUES TO CLIMB FOR BIG VIRGINIA ELECTION (RVA Magazine)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, believes Republicans have steered clear of early voting in previous election cycles due to apprehension from former President Donald Trump. “Republicans are much better off with early voting than not, and we’re seeing, particularly in some of the early voting statistics, that Republicans are coming close to catching up to Democrats on early voting,” Farnsworth said.
Former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn decides to forego a run for governor in 2025 in favor of making a bid for Jennifer Wexton’s seat in the House of Representatives. (WMAL)
“It makes sense , I think, for a former teacher to run for this congressional seat where she may have a clear path to the Democratic nomination,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn is setting her eyes on a new position…and it’s not the one many expected.(WMAL)
Stephen Farnsworth says competition for the Democratic nomination for Governor could be “very, very combative and difficult.”
Fredericksburg suburbs may hold key to assembly majorities (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“In many ways, this makes the area very fluid politically,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, in the heart of the region.
Glenn Youngkin thinks he has a Republican response to Democrats’ abortion attacks (Politico)
A University of Mary Washington survey last month found that 40 percent of people said they’d prefer a Democratic majority in the Legislature, and 37 percent a Republican one.
Gov. Youngkin’s PAC launches abortion ad as Election Day approaches (WTKR)
A recent poll from the University of Mary Washington found 53%t of voters say last year’s Supreme Court ruling on abortion would play a major factor in how they vote this year, so the ad is timely.
https://www.wtkr.com/news/gov-youngkins-pac-launches-abortion-ad-as-election-day-approaches
https://www.wtkr.com/news/gov-youngkins-pac-launches-abortion-ad-as-election-day-approaches
Youngkin’s PAC spends $1.4 million on ad claiming 15-week abortion ban is not a ban (American Independent)
The University of Mary Washington poll, released Sept. 27, found 23% of Virginians believe abortion should be illegal in all cases and 34% believe it should be legal in most cases.
Gov. Youngkin’s PAC launches $1.4 million ad campaign focusing on abortion (WRIC; WAVY)
The ad comes after a recent University of Mary Washington poll revealed that 53% of Virginians say the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade will play a “major factor” in deciding who they vote for this November.
An Election In This State Could Have National Consequences For Abortion (The Huffington Post)
“A significant number of Americans may not have clear policies about international matters, but something like abortion is really, really close to home,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. “It affects individuals in a very dramatic way, it affects families in a very dramatic way, and so it’s an effective topic.”
Spotsylvania In Trouble; Where Is The Outrage? (Fredericksburg Advance)
Speaking of Youngkin’s involvement in Loudon, University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth told NBC4 Washington in September: It serves political purposes, to be sure, for the governor to engage in Loudoun at every opportunity. I don’t know that it particularly wins him votes in Loudoun, but it certainly does energize the Republican base in other parts of the commonwealth or the country.
