Farnsworth Shares Political Expertise with Richmond Times-Dispatch
Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Affairs Stephen Farnsworth was recently quoted by the Richmond Times-Dispatch in an article titled “Va. Democrats to end up with 8-3 map – without redistricting.”
Farnsworth was asked about Virginia Democrats deciding whether they want to try again to amend the state constitution to improve their chances of winning a third and potentially fourth House seat or whether it’s worth the risks that burned Trump and Republicans in states that redrew their congressional maps to stack the odds of winning in their favor. “It might not be a great idea,” said Farnsworth. Read the full article.
Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Donald Trump Teases More Firings, Defends Pete Hegseth (Newsweek)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said the appointment demonstrated little interest in compromise, arguing that Miller fits a White House preparing for combat with Congress rather than extensive legislative bargaining.
Election 2026: The backlash election, and big questions about what’s next (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said issues that led voters in the past to back Trump and Republicans don’t resonate when voters worry about money.
How Senate flips just reshaped Congress (Fox 10 Phoenix)
“I think the Republicans were clearly in a difficult spot. That was particularly true in Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
National Capital (Virginia Dogwood)
Farnsworth laid the blame for Republicans’ disastrous night squarely at the feet of President Donald Trump.
“In many ways, Trump lost the thread,” Farnsworth told me.
America Votes | Reading the Verdict (Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru)
Stephen Farnsworth discusses what is next for the Republicans and Democrats as they plan for 2028, and what the next two years hold.
Data shows every locality in Virginia shifted toward Democrats in 2026 midterms (WRIC; DC News Now; WAVY)
“This was a colossal rejection of President Trump. The results up and down the ballot demonstrates that the public is unhappy, particularly with the state of the economy, but exit polls also show issues of corruption,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington.
Charting the Uncertain Virginia Republican Future (FXBG Advance)
As Virginia Republicans survey the wreckage of Tuesday’s election results, one key question remains: what is the party’s best path forward?
Spanberger saw a path to four House flips. Democrats have won two. (Virginia Mercury; WTOP)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington, said Democrats had reason to celebrate their gains under the existing map. “A net gain of two seats is a good night for Democrats, and three seats would have been an exceptional night for Democrats,” he said.
Elections (WMAL)
“In many ways Virginia is a leading political indicator for the country as a whole because we close up our ballots earlier than most states and we count very effectively,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
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Elections (WMAL)
“The key things to look for the results coming out of Virginia tonight are Virginia 1 and Virginia 5,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Analyst says Democrat midterm wins are favorable for Canada (CHCH)
“Well, the polls suggest that it is more likely than not. There is a lot of frustration with President Trump and the economy,” said Farnsworth.
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