Farnsworth Makes Heaps of Headlines Ahead of Elections

by

Professor of Political Science and Center for Leadership and Media Studies Director Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and Center for Leadership and Media Studies Director Stephen Farnsworth

As the presidential election approaches in November and other political races pick up, Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth is making ripples of headlines in local, regional and national outlets. The most recent media mentions come from a debate between candidates Eugene Vindman (D) and Derrick Anderson (R) for a seat in Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District. Farnsworth moderated the debate, held Oct. 2 in the University of Mary Washington’s Dodd Auditorium, with Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Department Chair Rosalyn Cooperman serving as one of three questioners. The debate was presented by UMW’s Student Government Association.

The following articles capture coverage of the debate, as well as other recent media mentions for Farnsworth:

Crowd Unruly as Anderson, Vindman Clash in UMW Debate
UMW Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth moderated the debate, and he thanked the candidates at the end for not only participating in the event, but also for simply being willing to run for office. Farnsworth, who also serves as director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, was joined by fellow UMW Professor of Political Science Rosalyn Cooperman, who chairs the department; WFVA Radio News Director Ted Schubel; and Jake Womer, The Free Lance-Star’s managing editor, in asking questions of the candidates.
Fredericksburg Free Press
The Free Lance-Star
The Washington Post
VPM
FXBG Advance
WVTF
AP News
CSPAN
ABC 17 News
My Northwest
Fox 28 Spokane
UK News
Newsday
8 News Now
US News
Las Vegas Sun
The Seattle Times
The Sun Chronicle
Inside Nova

Trump rises in Virginia poll as election nears, still lags Harris
Concluded days before the vice presidential debate and released shortly after a University of Mary Washington poll with Trump trailing Harris by just one point, the latest VCU Commonwealth Poll showed Trump performing better than in its previous poll.
Inside Nova
The Center Square
Tim Kaine and Hung Cao clash in lone Virginia Senate debate
A University of Mary Washington poll last month found Kaine with a smaller, six-point edge.

Spanberger and Earle-Sears tied in first 2025 gubernatorial poll
Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the Commonwealth.”
Richmond Free Press
Prince William Times
Fauquier Times
The Bull Elephant

STATE NEWS Spanberger and Earle-Sears Tied in First 2025 Gubernatorial Poll
“Virginia elections are often close, and the look ahead to next year suggests more of the same in the campaign for governor,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the commonwealth.”
Royal Examiner
Augusta Free Press
Loudoun Times
The Northern Virginia Daily
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Real Radio
Virginia poll shows tied gubernatorial race, nearly tied presidential race
“The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the commonwealth,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the university and the center’s director.
The Center Square
Trump, Youngkin urge early voting during tele-rally
“Both campaigns are really talking about the election in apocalyptic terms, and this is really motivating voters,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “Early voting absolutely works for campaigns; you don’t have to worry about getting voters to the polls on Election Day. If the ballot is locked in at election time, it gets a lot easier, and election officials can focus on voters who haven’t made it to the polls,” Farnsworth said.
A poll on Spanberger v. Sears and Spanberger v. Miyares
“Virginia elections are often close, and the look ahead to next year suggests more of the same in the campaign for governor,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the commonwealth.”
Gov nominee Mark Robinson 
“Republicanism is really great for debate but it is not helpful for swing voters who decide an election in America, said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more.
Trump, Youngkin urge early voting during tele-rally 
“Both campaigns are really talking about the election in apocalyptic terms, and this is really motivating voters,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
Virginia Mercury
Americans Living Abroad Could Swing Key States 
Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, said the data shows how much “every vote counts.” “When presidential elections come down to several thousand votes in a handful of key swing states, every vote really does count,” he told Newsweek. “While Americans abroad are not a huge voting bloc, these narrow-margin elections of recent years mean that they could be a decisive voting group in a few closely contested states.” Read more.
UMW Center for Leadership and Media Studies Survey Zooms in on Presidential Election in Virginia
Vice President Kamala Harris (D) and former President Donald Trump (R) are locked in a tight presidential contest in Virginia, according to a new statewide survey from the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington.
Virginia kicks off early voting Friday with presidential stakes high: Here’s what to know
Vice President Kamala Harris has a bit of an advantage, using several election offices that were started up last year by the Biden-Harris ticket. Back then, a University of Mary Washington survey found that 40% of those asked wanted to see the Democrats in control of Virginia’s House of Delegates and Senate, while 37% favored Republican control. But a year since that survey so much has changed with the landscape of this election.
Republican dodges questions over abortion rights in key Virginia race 
“Republicans around the country have been talking less about abortion, in part because Republicans have faced a significant voter backlash in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to reverse Roe v. Wade,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “It’s in the nature of politics not to get too far from your constituents if you can, and to avoid talking about issues that hurt your side.”
Virginia race for Spanberger’s open seat in Congress is heating up
“Because this is the closest congressional race in Virginia and one of the marquee national congressional races, neither side wants to leave anything unsaid,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. Read more.
America’s allies and enemies pick Harris as world weighs in on U.S. election
“America is by far the world’s most powerful nation, and so many nations want to shape the outcome of presidential elections to their liking. There’s nothing new about that, but recent elections have seen far more brazen and aggressive efforts by international leaders to try to influence the outcome,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.
Washington Times