Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Policy Issues in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election,” at Maria Curie Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland. Dr. Farnsworth is serving as the Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in the American Studies Program at the University of Warsaw.

‘Bipartisanship’ fizzles as General Assembly session ends (Chatham Star Tribune)

Another point of contention among lawmakers is establishing a regulated cannabis market. Democrats may have to wait for a new governor before making progress on cannabis, according to Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Read more.

Virginia lawmakers concerned Gov. Youngkin could scrap budget proposal amid declining bipartisanship (Loudoun Times)

Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, said he can’t recall any governor shooting down the entire budget. But he noted that bipartisanship is in decline.

“We really have seen a sort of downward trend in the ability of people in Richmond to work together across party lines,” he said. “A generation ago, moderates of both parties would have worked out a deal. Increasingly though, there aren’t that many moderates left.” Read more.

Congressional hopefuls are almost out of time to get their paperwork in (WVTF)

Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says they’ve got nothing to lose. “If you’re currently a member of the House of Delegates or the Senate of Virginia, you’re not on the same electoral timetable as a congressional race,” says Farnsworth. “So, you basically can get a roll of the dice without having to give anything up in terms of your own seat or not running for reelection because your contest would be in a different cycle in a different year.” Read more.

Virginia lawmakers concerned Gov. Youngkin could scrap budget proposal amid declining bipartisanship (The Virginian-Pilot)

Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, said he can’t recall any governor shooting down the entire budget. But he noted that bipartisanship is in decline.

“We really have seen a sort of downward trend in the ability of people in Richmond to work together across party lines,” he said. “A generation ago, moderates of both parties would have worked out a deal. Increasingly though, there aren’t that many moderates left.” Read more.

After vetoes, Youngkin’s budget “olive branch” unlikely to persuade Democrats (Virginia Dogwood)

Even as Youngkin struck a more conciliatory tone in budget talks with the General Assembly, “significant daylight” remains between the two sides, which have a history of contentious debate going back to the Youngkin’s first days in office, Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said in an interview. “The governor has offered an olive branch, but it’s a relatively small olive branch,” Farnsworth said. “My guess is the Democrats are going to want more from what they’ve seen from the governor so far. Read more.

Jury Selection Resumes in Trump Trial (CTV News)

“We should be prepared for a long slog with this case. What you are seeing so far is the reality of a man who is intensely polarized in the United States,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more.

Virginia’s legislature hasn’t overridden a veto in more than a decade. Could that change Wednesday? (WVTF)

Professor Stephen Farnsworth with the University of Mary Washington said Youngkin may have miscalculated when he overturned the largely red and rural-backed effort. “The governor will face more severe threats of an overridden veto because of the way that he ignored Republican concerns,” Farnsworth told Radio IQ. Read more.