Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a guest online lecture, “Disinformation Discourse in U.S. Politics,” to students at Montclair State University in New Jersey. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored book, Producing News in a Time of Disinformation: Information Evaluation Strategies for Journalists.
In addition, other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Might Trump change the law to run for a third term? (The Independent UK)
“There is zero chance the Constitution will be amended in time for Donald Trump to see a revised version,” Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, told The Independent. “It is very hard to change the constitution. It requires two thirds of both houses of Congress, and two thirds of the states to go along,” he added. Read the article.
Virginia’s legislative session is over. Here’s what’s headed to Youngkin (Daily Press; MSN)
Tensions escalate as Trump and Zelenskyy clash at White House (CHCH TV Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)
“Well, this is really pretty unprecedented. If you look at the way that publicly leaders intereat with each other, even enemies or potential adversaries do not level this kind of verbal combat against each other,” said Stephen Farnsworth. https://www.chch.com/chch-news/tensions-escalate-as-trump-and-zelenskyy-clash-at-white-house/
Commentary: In fight against Trump, D.C. Dems should look to Richmond (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
In the legislative session that concluded Feb. 22, Virginia’s Democratic lawmakers demonstrated that they have something to teach Democratic members of the U.S. Congress about shaping public discourse, promoting their party and fighting back against executive branch power. https://richmond.com/opinion/column/article_f08507e6-f523-11ef-9ad9-87efdc8df0ba.html
Does the number of bills a Virginia delegate passed matter in this fall’s election? (WVTF; WMRA)
University of Mary Washington political science Professor Stephen Farnsworth said getting bills passed, or not passed, can be a campaign message either way. “You can claim credit for introducing an idea even if it goes nowhere,” he said. “And you can blame the other side for standing in the way.” https://www.wvtf.org/news/2025-03-03/does-the-number-of-bills-a-virginia-delegate-passed-matter-in-this-falls-election
https://www.wmra.org/2025-03-03/does-the-number-of-bills-a-virginia-delegate-passed-matter-in-this-falls-election
How federal layoffs could impact Virginia’s governor’s race (NBC Washington 4)
“Well, the good news for Republicans is that the election is still a long way away. A lot can happen between February and November,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/president-trump-politics/how-federal-layoffs-could-impact-virginias-governors-race/3854952/?_branch_match_id=1378046433189259489&utm_medium=share&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz0tKLk8szsjMSy%2FJz9NLLCjQy8nMy9ZPL3NJriryzM4JSrKvK0pNSy0qAiqJTyrKLy9OLbJ1zijKz00FALsjenJEAAAA
Democratic Lawmakers Send Youngkin Same Minimum Wage Bill He Vetoed Last Year (Williamsburg Yorktown Daily)
“The minimum wage debate has been one of the more controversial issues in Virginia in the last several years,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “You see significant public support for increasing the minimum wage, but you also see some resistance in the business community to higher minimum wages.” https://wydaily.com/latest/2025/02/28/democratic-lawmakers-send-youngkin-same-minimum-wage-bill-he-vetoed-last-year/
Democratic lawmakers send Youngkin minimum wage bill — again (Rappahannock News)
“The minimum wage debate has been one of the more controversial issues in Virginia in the last several years,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “You see significant public support for increasing the minimum wage, but you also see some resistance in the business community to higher minimum wages.”
https://www.rappnews.com/news/government/democratic-lawmakers-send-youngkin-minimum-wage-bill-again/article_1a219dfe-f4a6-11ef-9e85-9ffc0c1d8321.html