Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth, who also directs the Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture in Glen Allen at the Annual Conference of the American Association of University Women of Virginia. The lecture was titled, “The Changing Nature of Virginia Politics: Reviewing the Pivotal 2025 Election and the First Session of Virginia’s First Madam Governor.”
Farnsworth was a popular expert with the media this week, discussing politics with a number of national and regional outlets, including CNN, USA Today, WUSA 9, WJLA, NBC 4 News, Richmond Magazine and others. Media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Virginia voters to decide on redistricting amendment potentially shifting House balance (WUSA 9; Yahoo.com)
Political science expert Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of University of Mary Washington said based on polling, it’ still too close to tell which side will win. “Polling shows a margin of a few points and when we’re looking at an election like this in Virginia, so much will come down whether or not people can get their supporters out to participate,” said Farnsworth. Learn more from WUSA 9.
Virginia voters to vote on measure that could determine control of Congress (WJLA)
“It seems to me that a strong turnout effort on election day can give either side a win,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “The big challenge for both the yes and the no side is to get people who will support them if they turn out to actually do soI think anybody who is not strongly committed one side or the other is likely to stay home. Read more in WJLA.
Virginians head to polls to decide fate of proposed new congressional districts (WTOP)
“The pro messaging is very much, ‘Trump started this and Virginia is going to finish it,’” Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told WTOP. Read more in WTOP.
Virginia Election Day: Voters Head to the Polls (USA Today)
“This isn’t just about lines on a map—it’s about who gets heard in Washington,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, political analyst and professor at the University of Mary Washington, whose insights have been featured in local coverage of the vote. “When district lines are drawn with partisan intent, communities can be split apart or packed together in ways that dilute their voice. Voters demand to understand what’s at stake beyond the ballot box.” Read more in USA Today.
FROM THE EDITOR: Election Day Dawns on Democracy’s Rusting Hinges (FXBG Advance)
Steven Farnsworth, a professor or political science at the University of Mary Washington, told the Advance that congressional midterms typically realize “an 18-seat swing in the House and a three- or four-seat swing in the Senate.” Read more in FXBG Advance.
Lying Liars, And Open Scumbaggery In Virginia (Daily Kos)
“This is an extraordinary amount of money, but it’s not a surprise because the stakes are so high. This could very likely determine which party controls the next Congress,” said Steve Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in Daily Kos.
What to expect in Virginia’s special election on redistricting (NBC 4 News)
“So, what we know from the polling is that the overall feelings of this amendment are pretty close to fifty fifty right now,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Learn more from NBC 4 News.
Yes or No? Virginia’s redistricting fight goes down to the wire (Richmond Magazine)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, says the outcome now hinges on how many people show up to vote on Tuesday. “Early voting has been comparable to the early voting for the governor’s race last November, but there may be a significant drop-off for Election Day voting between November of last year and April this year,” Farnsworth says. “Candidates often bring more voters to the polls than policy topics do.” Read more in Richmond Magazine.
Why some Virginia voters find redistricting ballot question confusing (WTOP)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said it’s generally easier for voters to focus on a particular candidate than a ballot issue, making the issue confusing for some voters. “Do you like this candidate? Do you dislike this candidate? Rather than constitutional issues,” Farnsworth said. Learn more from WTOP.
Virginia redistricting referendum could have national implications (WTOP)
“In many ways, what happens in Virginia, may very well be the deciding factor in terms of which party controls Congress next year,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “If the amendment passes, that’s a significant advantage for Democrats going into those November 2026 midterms. Learn more from WTOP.
Virginia’s redistricting vote is nearing a conclusion. How is it shaping up? (Almanac of American Politics)
“The ‘yes’ side has raised far more money and is spending a lot on TV ads,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political scientist. “The ‘no’ side hasn’t had as much money, and as a result has focused on social media and a few public events.” Read more in the Almanac of American Politics.
Redistricting might not be solution Virginia voters really need, educators say (Henrico Citizen; Prince William Times)
Campaigns on both sides are spending a lot of money on advertising, according to Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Prince William Times or Henrico Citizen.
Spanberger: Amendments, vetoes are part of the job as Virginia’s governor (The Free Lance-Star)
“The governor’s amendments have been laser-focused on building up her image as a moderate Democrat,” and “suggest Democrats in the legislature are going too far and too fast,” said Steve Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in The Free Lance-Star.
How a trash-talking, meme-posting great grandmother pulled Virginia into a fight that could define the midterms (CNN)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said Virginia powerbrokers understand that if “you want something out of the legislature, figure out a way to get Sen. Lucas on board.”
Virginia congressional candidates navigate looming fork in the campaign trail (The Free Lance-Star)
“What we have here is the equivalent of campaign filing gridlock,” said Steve Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. “You don’t know … what district you’re going to be in until the voters and the courts have spoken.” Read more in The Free Lance-Star.
Lots of money, little transparency in Virginia redistricting campaign (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“What looks like lack of transparency to some, looks like money laundering to others,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Unlike most states and the federal government, Virginia does not set any limits on what individuals and businesses can give to campaigns. Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Spanberger and Democrats spend big on ‘naked quest for power’ in Virginia redistricting (Washington Examiner)
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, thinks Republicans are making a big mistake by largely sitting this fight out. Read more in the Washington Examiner.
‘Voter’s remorse’: Illegal immigration crime, gerrymandering, and tax hikes in Spanberger’s Virginia (Washington Examiner)
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, told the Washington Examiner that Virginia Democrats believe this is a necessary response to maps redrawn by Republicans in states such as Texas and Missouri, where Republicans have picked up seats. Read more in the Washington Examiner.
Inside Scoop: Can Democrats find religion? Ungovernable unions, Spanberger struggles (Washington Examiner)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, told the Washington Examiner there are some benefits being passed as well, and the higher taxes are needed to fund these. Read more in the Washington Examiner.
LISTEN: Town Talk/Dr. Stephen Farnsworth (News Talk 1230)
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, breaks down the first months of Abigail Spanberger’s administration, including the stalled state budget, the redistricting vote, and inflation concerns. As he prepares to retire, Farnsworth also looks back on his career and ahead to what’s next. Learn more from News Talk 1230.
Early voter turnout for Virginia redistricting nears 1 million (NBC 4 News)
“So, what we know from the polling is that the overall feeling about this amendment is pretty close to fifty fifty,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Learn more from NBC 4 News.
Big spending for big stakes in Virginia redistricting campaign (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“This is an extraordinary amount of money, but it’s not a surprise because the stakes are so high. This could very likely determine which party controls the next Congress,” said Steve Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
A Flood Of Potential Candidates are Entering Would-Be Congressional Races Ahead of Next Week’s Special Election in Virginia (WMAL)
“What we have here is really the equivalent of campaign filing gridlock,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
With or Without New District Maps, Plenty of Candidates are Entering Congressional Races in Virginia (WMAL)
“The best time to run for a congressional race is when it is an open seat,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
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