Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth, who also serves as director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, will moderate the public political debate for Virginia’s 65th District House of Delegates on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. where incumbent Joshua Cole (D) will face off against Sean Steinway (R) in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium.

Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:

John Reid’s pitch for civility follows years as a ‘combative conservative’ (Virginia Dogwood)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said as a radio host Reid was a “combative conservative” and a “vigorous cultural warrior.” Farnsworth added that it’s not unusual for candidates to moderate their rhetoric to appeal to a broader electorate after a primary battle. “Talk radio is an appealing environment for conservative messaging,” Farnsworth said in an interview. “But running for office in purple Virginia may require a narrative that is less focused on the hardcore conservatives who make up much of the talk radio audience.” Read more in Virginia Dogwood. 

Republican State Senator Bryce Reeves to Challenge Mark Warner (WRIC, WFXR-TV)
“If you look at his previous congressional campaigns, he offers up a Republican message that is very focused on the issues of law and order,” Professor Stephen Farnsworth, Director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, told 8News. Read more in WRIC.

Government Shutdown Mass Layoff Fears Virginia Governor Race (MSN, Washington Examiner, USSA News)
“People are already anxious about the economic situation. The shutdown makes it much worse,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in MSN.

Election 2025: Earle-Sears vs Spanberger race guarantees history (Virginia Business)
Even without Trump’s policies disproportionately impacting Virginians, Earle-Sears would be at a disadvantage running for governor with a Republican in the White House, says Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Four years ago, some observers chalked up Democratic former Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s 2021 loss to Republican Glenn Youngkin in part due to Democratic President Joe Biden’s unpopularity. “Virginians tend to show anger against whoever is in the White House,” Farnsworth says. “The key challenge with the Earle-Sears campaign is dealing with the headwinds from the Trump administration.” Read more in Virginia Business.

Republican State Senator Bryce Reeves to challenge Mark Warner for U.S. Senate seat (WRIC; WAVY; MSN; The Free Lance-Star)
“If you look at his previous congressional campaigns, he offers up a Republican message that is very focused on the issues of law and order,” Professor Stephen Farnsworth, Director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, told 8News. Read more in MSN.

Sen. Bryce Reeves jumps into U.S. Senate race against Warner (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“There may be more Republicans getting into the race, which is still unclear a year out,” said Steve Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Trump’s UN speech crafted for his supporters: Political analyst (CTV News)
“Well, this is very much the red meat narrative that President Trump uses to connect with his base,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more in CTV News.

Child safety, fake news a linchpin in final campaign strategies
(Brunswick Times- Gazette)
“The reality is that there is a growing incentive to put out false information if you can do so without facing consequences,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “Rewarded behavior is repeated behavior.” Read more in Brunswick Times- Gazette.

Democrats hope to extend map, pick off more GOP House seats (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“When a party has a lot of money it can put funds into races that are a reach,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

‘Nation looks to the Virginia governor’s contest’ as early voting opens Sept. 19 (Henrico Citizen; RVA Hub; Newsbreak)
Stephen Farnsworth, Ph.D. is a professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Farnsworth stated in an email that many national policies “significantly” impact the Virginia economy, such as with the cutbacks of federal workers. “The nation looks to the Virginia governor’s contest as a leading political indicator of the upcoming midterm elections,” Farnsworth stated. Read more in Newsbreak.

First Colbert, now Kimmel: How Trump puts political pressure on comedians (Tagesschau radio, Germany)
“President Trump is the biggest target of late-night comedy in the history of this format,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of the book, “Late Night in Washington:  Political Humor and the American Presidency.” Hear more on Tagesschau Radio.

‘Nation looks to the Virginia governor’s contest’ as early voting opens Sept. 19 (Henrico Citizen)
Stephen Farnsworth, Ph.D. is a professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Farnsworth stated in an email that many national policies “significantly” impact the Virginia economy, such as with the cutbacks of federal workers. “The nation looks to the Virginia governor’s contest as a leading political indicator of the upcoming midterm elections,” Farnsworth stated. Read more in Henrico Citizen.