Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in an NBC 4 article titled “Spanberger, Earle-Sears contrast messaging in ads as race for Virginia governor nears.” In the article, Farnsworth analyzed shifting campaign strategies, noting that economic concerns are no longer the primary GOP focus. “What you see with the Republican message right now is a very powerful pivot away from the economy, focusing instead on the cultural issues that worked well for Glenn Youngkin four years ago,” he said. Read the full article at NBC 4 and MSN.
Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:
But Steve Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said the shift in the campaign’s focus shows that its previous strategy wasn’t working. “It’s tough for Republicans to run on the economy right now … hence the pivot,” Farnsworth said. “Candidates who are polling well don’t need to develop new strategies.” Read at Richmond Times-Dispatch and Roanoke Times
“Trump Revokes Secret Service Protection for former Vice President Harris” (RTVI US)
“I think the big uncertainty here is what level of threat she faces,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “We don’t know what the current level of threat is that she is facing, but we do know she faced a great deal of threats when she was a candidate for president last year.” See on RTVI US
Labor Days past: When politics leapt from summer doldrums to its fall stretch run (Virginia Mercury; Yahoo News)
“So much has changed in Virginia politics over the last 25 years, and those changes all work against events like Buena Vista,” said Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “For the dwindling Richmond press corps, it’s a very expensive proposition to make the trek. For the candidates, it’s not clear there’s a lot of value in going if there’s no coverage,” said Farnsworth who, before his 32 years as a professor, reported for the Kansas City Star. Read article at Virginia Mercury and Yahoo News.
U.S. National Guard troops start carrying weapons in Washington (CTV News Canada)
“I think this is clearly an effort to dominate the political environment,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read article at CTV News Canada.
Poll: Spanberger ahead, Earle-Sears closes gap (DC News Now; MSN)
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth is a professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Dr. Farnsworth reacts to Earle-Sears closing the gap and how each candidate should move forward with less than 100 days in the race. “Part of this has to do with Republicans coming together,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read article at DC News Now and MSN.
Virginia’s top Senate Democrat wants to cover Trump cuts with weed tax revenue (WHRO; WVTF)
University of Mary Washington Political Science Professor Stephen Farnsworth said funding gaps include forthcoming rate hikes for those on Affordable Care Act healthcare plans and hits to tax revenue from federal layoffs. “Virginia is going to have to figure out how to generate significant additional cash to compensate for the economic challenges that come from President Trump’s policies,” he said. Read article at WHRO and WVTF.
Latest polling shows Spanberger leading Earle-Sears, LG/AG races within the margin of error (MSN)
“The numbers seem about where one might expect. This is a significant headwind for Republicans this election cycle,” University of Mary Washington Professor Stephen Farnsworth told 8News. Farnsworth said, although Spanberger’s seven-point lead is considerably smaller than her 17-point lead in May, it’s actually Republicans who should be worried. Read article at MSN.