A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Associate Professor of Psychology, Laura Wilson
Associate Professor of Psychology Laura Wilson was featured in Inc.com in an article titled “How to Respond to the Unthinkable in the Workplace.” Wilson said, “Don’t confuse getting back to work for a return to business as usual. Inevitably, revisiting the site of a traumatic event will provoke strong reactions.” Read the article.
Professor of Communication Anand Rao
Professor of Communication in the Department of Communication and Digital Studies, Anand Rao, has been selected to serve on the National Communication Association’s (NCA) Collaboratory on Artificial Intelligence, a groundbreaking initiative that brings together educators, scholars, and communication professionals to address the rapidly evolving impact of AI in higher education. As part of the collaborative team, Dr. Rao will participate in the inaugural NCAi Collaboratory session at the NCA Convention on November 22, which aims to develop community-driven responses to AI integration in communication pedagogy, research, and assessment. The session will feature breakout discussions where communication scholars and faculty can explore various topics related to AI’s impact on the field. Dr. Rao will lead a focused discussion on AI Chatbots in Communication.
The Collaboratory, supported by the Teaching and Learning Council and highlighted as one of First Vice President Dr. Jeanetta Sims’ Spotlight Panels, focuses on leveraging human intelligence and creativity alongside artificial intelligence. This initiative will establish ongoing collaborative structures to foster community resources and facilitate crucial discussions about AI’s role in communication education. For more information about the Collaboratory and to access AI resources, visit: https://www.natcom.org/spectra/ncai-collaboratory-and-generative-ai-resources
Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees and UMW junior Knox McKinley
Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees and UMW junior Knox McKinley talk about service, volunteer work and being a good citizen on News Talk 1230 (B101.5) WFVA Fredericksburg Town Talk episode. Listen here.
Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds
Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds provided a commentary to the Virginia Mercury titled “Data centers and Virginia’s special kind of denialism.” Bonds wrote “The reelection of Donald Trump shows the continued prevalence of climate denialism, which involves a rejection of the scientific consensus that human activity is changing the climate.” Read the article.
Associate Professor of Communication, Elizabeth Johnson-Young
Associate Professor of Communication, Elizabeth Johnson-Young, presented research at the National Communication Association annual convention hosted in New Orleans, LA. Johnson-Young presented her research regarding pediatric and family communication surrounding firearm safety during a panel she organized that focused on the role of health communication scholars in this area of health and safety. While at NCA, Johnson-Young also took part in a full day of mentorship for graduate students and early career faculty in health communication. During the mentorship day, she presented pedagogical and experiential learning strategies and participated in small group discussions on publication strategies, teaching strategies and experiential learning, and the job market and tenure, among other topics.
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and Director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Stephen Farnsworth, recently presented a guest online lecture, “Analyzing the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Results,” for faculty and students at Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus. The talk was one of several public talks Dr. Farnsworth delivered on the 2024 presidential election, including before Mary Washington Elderstudy, [online], the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg.Delivers Research Paper on Political Humor in Boston
Farnsworth also recently presented a coauthored research paper, “Ridicule in Late-Night Political Humor in the United States: Contours and Consequences,” at the Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Political Science Association in Boston.
In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
The Media, Messaging, & the 2024 Election: A conversation with Dr. Stephen Farnsworth (The Interesting Times)
“Well, I think first of all when we think about the election, we have to recognize that this is kind of a standard retrospective voting election”, said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://theinterestingtimes.substack.com/p/the-media-messaging-and-the-2024?r=j68s1&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
President Biden pardons his son, Hunter Biden (CTV News)
“Well, I think one of the things the president should have done is not saying he wasn’t going to do it, if he intended to do it,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=3040420
Trump Promises 25% Tariff on Canda Once He Takes Office (CTV News)
“Well, there is absolutely no way to sugarcoat the consequences of something like this. This would be an immense challenge for the American economy and for the Canadian economy,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvVmDhLDmnQ
Trump, Fox News and why his TV star Cabinet picks are such a big deal (USA Today)
Enjoying the ease of an echo chamber in a politically volatile environment is “a very comforting experience” and can be what keeps viewers watching, said Stephen Farnsworth, author of “Presidential Communication and Character: White House News Management from Clinton and Cable to Twitter and Trump.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2024/11/25/trumps-cabinet-fox-news-second-administration/76479341007/
New leadership on the horizon for House Freedom Caucus (MSN)
“Good may have lost the battle, but he has helped purge Republican moderates from the party,” Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. “The Republican caucus in Washington, and in Richmond for that matter, is more uniformly conservative than it ever was.” But “the same inflexibility that makes the Freedom Caucus appealing to some Republican voters can be its undoing for some individual members, as Good learned in this primary,” Farnsworth said.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/new-leadership-on-the-horizon-for-house-freedom-caucus/ar-AA1opgM5?ocid=BingNewsVerp&apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1
Donald Trump’s recess appointment proposal ‘short-circuits Constitution’ (UPI)
“Normally, not all of the president’s team makes it through,” Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, told UPI. “Senators, even senators of the president’s party, often turn down one nominee or threaten to do so and that nominee withdraws their candidacy.”
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2024/11/25/trump-cabinet-confirmation-recess-appointments/2821732545977/
Youngkin backs Earle-Sears for Virginia Governor (Yahoo News)
‘Well, it seems to me that once the Attorney General had decided that he was not going to compete for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor, the chips feel into place very quickly,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/youngkin-backs-earle-sears-virginia-191225887.html
Youngkin backs Earle-Sears for Virginia Governor (DC News Now)
‘Well, it seems to me that once the Attorney General had decided that he was not going to compete for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor, the chips feel into place very quickly,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/capitol-review/youngkin-backs-earle-sears-for-virginia-governor/
President-elect Trump unveils controversial cabinet selections (CHCH Radio)
“Well, I think it’s important to recognize that the second Donald Trump term will be much more without guard rails than the first term,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrqaKciu65Y
Miyares seeks reelection as attorney general, paves way for Earle-Sears in governor’s race (Virginia Mercury)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said it was “a smart move” by Miyares to put his gubernatorial ambitions on hold and run for reelection next year.
https://virginiamercury.com/2024/11/18/miyares-to-seek-second-term-as-virginia-attorney-general/
Democrat Nominee for Governor (WTOP)
“It doesn’t seem likely she will face a challenge from her party given Spanberger’s success in politics,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Listen here: 1 SEARS SPANBERGER nia
Challenge for Democrat Nominee for Governor (WTOP)
“The opportunity would be much greater for a candidate to try to run for Lieutenant Governor or perhaps Attorney General,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Listen here: 1 SEARS SPANBERGER nia
The Election, how it went and why (WCPT with Joan Esposito Live Local)
“Above all, this is what we call retrospective voting in political science. People look at the Biden administration presidency, they look at the economic conditions that they are seeing in their personal lives,, and they say no, I want something different,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/joan-esposito-live-local-and-progressive-nov-13-20#description
Associate Professor of Geography Caitie Finlayson
Associate Professor of Geography Caitie Finlayson’s open textbook, Human Geography: A Connected Approach, has been published.
Human Geography: A Connected Approach provides an engaging and comprehensive introduction to the study of how we, as humans, are connected to one another and to the world around us. Building on the legacy of the open textbooks World Regional Geography and Introduction to Human Geography, this expanded text delves deeper into the core concepts of Human Geography, from global systems to personal choices, offering a richer understanding of how geography shapes both past and future. With its accessible approach, this text goes beyond traditional textbooks by framing Human Geography as an evolving story that each of us is a part of, inviting reflection and curiosity along the way.
You can find the textbook at https://viva.pressbooks.pub/connected/. There are also printed copies available to purchase through Amazon.
Associate Professor of History and American Studies Will Mackintosh
Associate Professor of History Will Mackintosh was featured by the Fredericksburg Free Press in articles titled “Fredericksburg’s Lafayette Bicentennial to culminate with full weekend of events” and “Lecture offers ‘Lafayette 101’ ahead of bicentennial weekend.” Mackintosh gave the lecture at Central Rappahannock Regional Library in November discussing what Fredericksburg was like when Lafayette visited for three days in November 1824. Read the articles:
https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2024/11/16/fredericksburgs-lafayette-bicentennial-to-culminate-with-full-weekend-of-events/
https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2024/11/22/lecture-offers-lafayette-101-ahead-of-bicentennial-weekend/
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and Director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Stephen Farnsworth, recently presented an online lecture, “The Politics of Not Voting,” at the None of the Above Voter Mobilization Conference in Arlington, VA.
In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Second-wave Population Shifts Carry Vindman in Seventh (FXBG Advance)
Virginia’s sprawling Seventh Congressional District, which includes all or part of ten counties and the City of Fredericksburg, was one of the most sought-after congressional prizes nationally this year.
https://fxbgadvance.substack.com/p/second-wave-population-shifts-carry?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Candidates line up for special elections to replace Virginia senators recently elected to US House (The Washington Post; US News and World Report; Virginia Lawyers Weekly; VPM)<
“It’s not impossible for the out party to win these districts, but a lot would have to go wrong for the dominant party to lose — a contentious nomination struggle, an extremely low turnout special election or a really energized out party,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “You would basically need a perfect storm followed by another perfect storm … Most of the time, perfect storms don’t happen.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/11/11/special-election-mcguire-subramanyam-virginia-senate/b7baba6c-a084-11ef-be87-1106a06524c6_story.html
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/virginia/articles/2024-11-11/candidates-line-up-for-special-elections-to-replace-virginia-senators-recently-elected-to-us-house
https://valawyersweekly.com/2024/11/12/candidates-line-up-for-special-elections-to-replace-virginia-senators-recently-elected-to-us-house/
https://www.vpm.org/elections/2024-11-12/virginia-special-election-2024-senators-mcguire-subramanyam
2024 Election Recap: Virginia (DC News Now)
“Well, the polls all showed that this was going to be the state where the Democrats had the advantage,” said Stephen Farnsworth. https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/capitol-review/2024-election-recap-on-capitol-review/<
Candidates line up for special elections to replace Virginia senators recently elected to US House (The Free Lance-Star; The Seattle Times; MSN; WTOP; ABC News)
“It’s not impossible for the out party to win these districts, but a lot would have to go wrong for the dominant party to lose — a contentious nomination struggle, an extremely low turnout special election or a really energized out party,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “You would basically need a perfect storm followed by another perfect storm … Most of the time, perfect storms don’t happen.”https://fredericksburg.com/news/state-and-regional/candidates-line-up-for-special-elections-to-replace-virginia-senators-recently-elected-to-us-house/article_cb7e188f-1c53-542e-ba4b-40ce3c4349ee.html
https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/candidates-line-up-for-special-elections-to-replace-virginia-senators-recently-elected-to-us-house/
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/candidates-line-up-for-special-elections-to-replace-virginia-senators-recently-elected-to-us-house/ar-AA1tUfgr
https://wtop.com/virginia/2024/11/candidates-line-up-for-special-elections-to-replace-virginia-senators-recently-elected-to-us-house/
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/candidates-line-special-elections-replace-virginia-senators-recently-115753266
Trump Announces Homan as Border Czar (CTV News)
“Well, it’s important to recognize that Donald Trump makes a lot of promises. But, this one, I think above all immigration question is the promise that he intends to keep,” said Stephen Farnsworth. https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=3027544
Commentary: Out of the blue? Virginia was purple all along (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Tuesday’s election results in Virginia, where Democratic nominee Kamala Harris won the commonwealth’s electoral votes and the two major parties each went one-for-one in the two most volatile congressional districts (2 and 7), should demonstrate — once again — that Virginia has not become a blue state. https://richmond.com/opinion/column/election-harris-trump-virginia-competitive-purple/article_d98e6050-9d53-11ef-ba79-57e8be74d911.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
Trump’s agenda would mean profound change, from economy to federal workforce (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“Donald Trump always pushed the political and legal systems as far as they could go,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/virginia-donald-trump-economy-port-immigration-nato/article_5025e9b4-9d17-11ef-b737-c79a5cd0e1c3.html
Pelosi Blames Biden for Election Loss (CTV News)
“Well, there is a painful reality here that to Donald Trump’s message resonated in this country and I think a number of Democrats are trying to figure out a way that they can avoid that painful message by blaming something internal,” said Stephen Farnsworth. https://www.ctvnews.ca/video/c3026981-nancy-pelosi-blames-biden-for-u-s–election-loss?playlistId=1.7095788
Virginia leaders react to Trump win as Harris keeps the commonwealth blue (Prince William Times)
“In Virginia and nationally, red areas became more red and blue areas became less blue nearly everywhere,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/virginia-leaders-react-to-trump-win-as-harris-keeps-the-commonwealth-blue/article_fc76f7a8-796b-5b69-a1da-898f2c487fc6.html
Press Rewind, Nov. 3-9 (Fredericksburg Free-Press)
“I think it’s clear that the legacy media doesn’t represent the greatest, most effective use of a candidate’s time right now. When you’re thinking about who you need to reach, people who are not reflexively going to vote for you or vote for the other candidate, you’re talking about people who are kind of casual consumers of news at best.” –Stephen Farnsworth, University of Mary Washington political science professor, in a podcast interview with Joey LoMonaco. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2024/11/10/nov-3-press-rewind/
The key election statistic: Many Democrats simply didn’t vote (Cardinal News)
Some laughed at the time when the University of Mary Washington poll in September that showed the presidential race in Virginia essentially tied. https://cardinalnews.org/2024/11/11/the-key-election-statistic-many-democrats-simply-didnt-vote/
Soon: Biden to Address the Nation (CTV News)
“Well, I think one of the things we can appreciate about Joe Biden is the extent to which he really does put the country first,” said Stephen Farnsworth. https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=3025941
Fate of federal workforce unclear as Trump wins second term (AOL)
“What we’ll see in the short term is an answer to the question of exactly what is the plan that the Trump administration wants to put forward regarding federal workers,” said Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington. https://www.aol.com/fate-federal-workforce-unclear-trump-023050666.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAI0YcSHnBdtDXQonVAQeOv3PtUmPtm6Y0YHNP1KwDMGCqm4Zmry1mWRjvtfqpR5YRqFzSno3PSZ317FRLVNshAz1wYU_0nhLEVCeIsCjYcYjAfRQBa2rqi6r1PeMZPZyTQyCR8D6KpmuZ7m1MaqMB81jBsbR82feBA3rERS_cMpE
Election 2024, The Night After (WTOP)
“I think one of the things to take away from this election is that the Republicans were able to do a bit better in the suburbs than they have in the past,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Less suburban support narrows Harris’ Virginia margin (Richmond Times-Dispatch; Virginia Mercury)
“In Virginia and nationally, red areas became more red and blue areas became less blue nearly everywhere,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. https://richmond.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/donald-trump-kamala-harris-virginia-election/article_158addc4-9c7b-11ef-a958-27ca54b7de42.html https://virginiamercury.com/2024/11/06/virginia-leaders-react-to-trump-win-as-harris-keeps-the-commonwealth-blue/
Trump lost Virginia but gained ground in slightly less blue D.C. suburbs (The Washington Post)
Some of the credit for the purple blush should go to Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) and his ability to connect with suburban voters, University of Mary Washington political analyst Stephen J. Farnsworth said. “The movement of suburban voters into the D column had really been accelerating before Youngkin’s victory [in 2021],” Farnsworth said, referring to the Republican’s narrow win in that year’s gubernatorial race. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/11/06/virginia-election-youngkin-trump-harris/
Virginia District 7 House seat goes to Democrat Yevgeny ‘Eugene’ Vindman: AP calls (Fox 5 DC)
“It is the sort of district where congressional majorities are won and lost,” University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth said. “If you can’t win the outer-ring suburban counties of big cities in America, then you’re not going to be in the House majority.” https://www.fox5dc.com/news/virginia-district-7-house-seat-goes-democrat-yevgeny-eugene-vindman-ap-calls
Northern Virginia Trump supporters react to election win (WUSA 9)
“You really do see a scenario where a lot of people felt like they could take care of the abortion question I think on the referendum or legislative side and vote for Trump based on other matters of high importance to them,” Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of University Mary-Washington said. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/trump-supporters-in-stafford-co-feel-election-victory-sparks-excitement-for-the-future/65-422d5133-ab0b-480b-93cd-ef9d53419922
Fate of federal workforce unclear as Trump wins second term (DC News Now)
“What we’ll see in the short term is an answer to the question of exactly what is the plan that the Trump administration wants to put forward regarding federal workers,” said Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington. https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/local-news/washington-dc/fate-of-federal-workforce-unclear-as-trump-wins-second-term/
Maryland’s District 6 race remains deadlocked before remaining mail, provisional ballots (WJLA)
“The reality is that we are a 50/50 country, and there are going to be 50/50 districts,” explained Stephen Farnsworth, PhD, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. https://wjla.com/news/local/election-results-maryland-district-6-house-senate-republicans-democrats-early-voting-voters-congress-mcclain-delaney-provisional-ballots-november-5-dmv
Hot House Races to Watch on Election Night – And the Ads That Define Them (U.S. News & World Report)
Stephen J. Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political scientist, says that Vindman “has a huge cash advantage, but Anderson has been working hard throughout the fall in this sprawling district.” https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/2024-11-05/hot-house-races-to-watch-on-election-night-and-the-ads-that-define-them
Political expert weighs in on 2024 Presidential election (MSN)
“Well, I think it is really early to read too much into these numbers. And a lot will, of course, on which state we are talking about,” said Stephen Farnsworth. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/political-expert-weighs-in-on-2024-presidential-election/vi-AA1tzUaS
Harris wins Virginia but by lesser margin than Biden (MSN; Washington Examiner)
Two separate polls, one conducted by the conservative-leaning Rasmussen Reports and another from the University of Mary Washington, showed in the days leading up to the election that Trump had cut into Harris’s lead and was within striking distance. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/harris-wins-virginia-but-by-lesser-margin-than-biden/ar-AA1tAdLG https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/3219261/harris-wins-virginia-lesser-margin-than-biden/
Economy, democracy most important to voters on election day (The Center Square)
An early September University of Mary Washington poll showed the same thing: that “threats to democracy” was the second-biggest concern for voters after the economy. https://www.thecentersquare.com/virginia/article_0ebfb0e0-9b82-11ef-bc70-47eb70fde189.html
Vindman claims victory in Virginia’s 7th Congressional district (WVTF)
“Vindman won this contest likely on the basis of offering a centrist democratic message that has worked for Spanberger in the past,” said Stephen Farnsworth. https://www.wvtf.org/news/2024-11-06/vindman-claims-victory-in-virginias-7th-congressional-district
Will Trump’s Joe Rogan Interview Help Win White House? Analysts’ Verdicts (Newsweek)
Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs-Professor of Political Science and International Affairs: Former President Trump’s Joe Rogan interview was an effective way to reach a group of potential voters that Republicans very much need to reach. The challenge for both campaigns throughout the fall has been to connect with voters who are not all that likely to participate and get them off the fence—and off the couch. If Trump wins, it will largely be as a result of his aggressive outreach efforts to younger male voters who can connect with Trump’s anger about the current state of the country. https://www.newsweek.com/will-trumps-joe-rogan-interview-help-win-white-house-analysts-verdicts-1978481
2024 is the first time some Hampton Roads elections are in November. Is it helping or hurting?
“For candidates for local office, it’s a much more challenging environment in which to be heard,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. For candidates, it may be harder to raise money and more expensive to run a campaign, Farnsworth said, because donors may opt to spend all their money on federal or state races. https://www.pilotonline.com/2024/11/03/2024-is-first-time-some-hampton-roads-elections-are-in-november-is-it-helping-or-hurting/
Sen. Tim Kaine responds to criticism over SNL appearance from opponent Hung Cao (WUSA 9; MSN; NBC 4)
“All indications are that Cao just simply was running at a bad time against an incumbent very well known in Virginia,” Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of University of Mary Washington said. https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/tim-kaine-responds-to-snl-appearance-criticism-from-republican-opponent/65-6dc5c906-50db-4892-b016-408319522f93 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/kaine-responds-to-snl-appearance-criticism-as-virginia-senate-candidates-make-final-push-before-election-day/ar-AA1tvpff https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-of-confrontation-over-politics-demonstrates-how-many-americans-are-on-edge/3758296/
Billions flood into political betting market ahead of 2024 election (The Patriot Southwest Times)
Stephen Farnsworth is a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, and the director of its Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Betting markets should not be considered comparable to polls, as these markets can be prone to bias that is hard to detect, Farnsworth stated. https://pcpatriot.com/billions-flood-into-political-betting-market-ahead-of-2024-election/
Video of confrontation over politics demonstrates how many Americans are on edge (NBC)
University of Mary Washington professor Stephen Farnsworth said the confrontation isn’t surprising in this fraught political atmosphere. “What’s clear is that America is not in a happy place,” he said. “Half of the country is going to be furious once this election is resolved, and many people are already very, very upset in advance of Election Day.” https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/video-of-confrontation-over-politics-demonstrates-how-many-americans-are-on-edge/3758296/?os=vbkn42tqhoPmKBEXtc&ref=app
Diehard Trump supporters question whether Virginia can turn red (MSN; The Gazette; Washington Examiner)
While Trump lost in Virginia in both 2016 and 2020, some GOP insiders in the state think victory remains within reach, pointing to two separate polls, one conducted by the conservative-leaning Rasmussen Reports and another from the University of Mary Washington that show the former president is cutting into Vice President Kamala Harris’s lead, putting Trump within striking distance. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/diehard-trump-supporters-question-whether-virginia-can-turn-red/ar-AA1toFY9 https://gazette.com/news/wex/diehard-trump-supporters-question-whether-virginia-can-turn-red/article_0d3ab09a-4fe8-5b3c-a67a-0ee9490b29cf.html https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/presidential/3214437/trump-supporters-doubt-virginia-can-turn-red/
The weekend that could change the election landscape (Richmond Times-Dispatch; The Daily Progress)
“Is it the best use of his time in the final days before the election? No, North Carolina or Michigan or Wisconsin or Arizona would be better uses of his time,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/kamala-harris-donald-trump-salem-virginia-election-president/article_c85ca25e-97ba-11ef-be25-ebb7031e550f.html https://dailyprogress.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/kamala-harris-donald-trump-salem-virginia-election-president/article_107695fa-e429-53cc-ada4-fdad081ed27a.html
Trump & Harris Head Into Final Swing State Blitz (CTV News)
“Well, I think what we’re going to see is what we’ve been seeing all along through this campaign,” said Stephen Farnsworth. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFoPFP26oTs
Podcast: Coffee shop talk with UMW’s Stephen Farnsworth (Fredericksburg Free Press)
It’s a Thursday morning in October — just about three weeks before election day — and Farnsworth’s schedule has precious few openings this time of year. Fortunately, I booked one of them to discuss, among other topics, his career pivot from journalist to political scientist, his special academic focus on the laughing matter of politics and, of course, the upcoming presidential election. https://www.fredericksburgfreepress.com/2024/11/04/podcast-coffee-shop-talk-with-umws-stephen-farnsworth/
Virginia faith group urges people to polls, calls for unity (WHRO; Chatham Star-Tribune)
Stephen Farnsworth is a political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at Mary Washington University. Candidates connect with voters in any way possible, but especially through religion because it is a substantial part of some voters’ lives, according to Farnsworth. https://www.whro.org/elections/2024-11-03/virginia-faith-group-urges-people-to-polls-calls-for-unity https://www.chathamstartribune.com/news/article_a02eaf78-9a1e-11ef-942b-6b6e1b6bb947.html
What is deficit spending, and should it matter to voters? (Chatham Star-Tribune)
Stephen Farnsworth is a political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Recent Democratic presidents have seen smaller deficits than Republicans, according to Farnsworth. However, neither party tends to be fiscally responsible. Democrats favor expanding programs, while Republicans prefer tax cuts, and both achieve these goals by spending in the deficit, according to Farnsworth. https://www.chathamstartribune.com/news/article_6962ff20-9a2e-11ef-97cc-0b7952c69c15.html
What’s on the ballot in Virginia? 2024 election key races (Fox 5)
Stephen Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political science professor, said it’s Virginia’s most competitive race in 2024 and a bellwether for the U.S. House balance of power. “There’s a lot of national interest in the Virginia 7th, and it is the sort of district where congressional majorities are won and lost,” he said. “If you can’t win the outer-ring suburban counties of big cities in America, then you’re not going to be in the House majority.” https://www.fox5dc.com/news/whats-ballot-virginia-2024-election-key-races
Presidential closing arguments are in. What’s the verdict for DMV? (WJLA)
“This is an election, I think, where the real influence is how much you dislike the other side more than how much you like your own side,” said Steve Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “I think that we’re living in a time when campaigns are much more effective at demonizing the opposition than making the case for one’s own side.” Farnsworth feels the candidates’ final speeches were more reenergizing for the Harris camp than for Trump’s team. https://www.wjla.com/news/local/presidential-elections-closing-arguments-vice-president-kamala-harris-former-president-donald-trump-white-house-virginia-maryland-dmv-voters-mary-washington-steve-farnsworth
ANALYSIS: What’s Wrong with Polling? (FXBG Advance)
In late September, a poll by the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media gave Harris only a two-point lead. https://fxbgadvance.substack.com/p/analysis-whats-wrong-with-polling
Professor of Political Science, Rosalyn Cooperman
Rosalyn Cooperman, professor and chair of the department of political science and international affairs, was highlighted in an article for the Center for American Woman and Politics titled, “What will 2025 bring for women’s representation in the Commonwealth of Virginia?” Reflecting on upcoming shifts, Cooperman notes, “In 2024, Virginia had four of its 11 congressional seats occupied by women… Virginia’s congressional delegation will be down two women as Representatives Abigail Spanberger (VA-7) and Jennifer Wexton (VA-10) are each retiring.” Cooperman’s analysis emphasizes the evolving dynamics of women’s representation in Virginia’s federal and state-level politics, especially with gender and reproductive rights on the ballot in 2025. Read the article.
Cooperman, was also quoted by World News – What Finger News in an article titled “Why women’s issues and campaign finances are in the spotlight.” Cooperman said, “Sure, I think there are a couple of things to recognize when we talk about campaigns and even campaign finance. The Electoral default here in the United States still remains male so a majority of men are running for elected office and a majority of men also fund political campaigns. That said, with Kamala Harris running as the Democratic nominee and certainly Hillary Clinton before her in 2016 we see women as very capable fundraisers. We also have seen in terms of voting women are more reliable voters in the United States than men.” Read the article.