April 25, 2024

Farnsworth, Atkinson Publish Opinion Column in ‘Richmond Times-Dispatch’

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, and Cassandra Atkinson, a UMW junior majoring in political science and communication, are coauthors of an opinion column, “In border politics, Youngkin stays closer to home,” which was published recently in The Richmond Times-Dispatch. Read more.

Farnsworth has received several other recent media mentions, including:
4 dead Virginia bills: Eliminated divorce period, sexual harassment education, wrongful death and shorter absentee vote period (The Virginian-Pilot; Williamsburg Yorktown Daily; Emporia Independent-Messenger)
There will be plenty of other failed bills this session. In fact, gridlock is to be expected when “voters put one party in charge of one chamber and the other party in charge of the other,” according to Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies and a political science professor.
‘Crossover Day’ for Virginia legislative session happens Tuesday (Fox 5)
“When you don’t know exactly what your electorate looks like and you may even be running against another member of the House of Delegates, you might want to be pretty careful. And that’s, I think, the standard that a lot of lawmakers are going to engage in this election cycle,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
Del. March complains that fellow Republicans ‘attempted to humiliate me’ (Cardinal News)
But Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said that March’s meager legislative record and her reputation as a rabble-rouser might not necessarily hurt her during her nomination battle against Williams.  
Four dead GA bills: Eliminated divorce period, sexual harassment education, wrongful death and shorter absentee vote period (RVA Hub)
There will be plenty of other failed bills this session. In fact, gridlock is to be expected when “voters put one party in charge of one chamber and the other party in charge of the other,” according to Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies and a political science professor. https://rvahub.com/2023/02/06/four-dead-ga-bills-eliminated-divorce-period-sexual-harassment-education-wrongful-death-and-shorter-absentee-vote-period/
State of the Union (CTV News)
“This is going to be a special moment for any president. The State of the Union address has tens of millions more people watching live and more people watching the clips later on, so it’s a hugh opportunity for a president to be heard particularly as Joe Biden is on poise to announce plans for re-election. It is going to be a key moment to set the stage for the way he wants the world to see his presidency going forward into that second term,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Va. Senate Democrats spurn Youngkin picks, including health commissioner (The Washington Post; Washington Dailies; US Today)
“Normally gubernatorial appointments are a quiet, if not silent, affair,” Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said. “Youngkin has been more willing to nominate controversial figures than previous governors were, and so what traditionally has always been routine is now only routine most of the time.”
Anti-trans bills are on the rise in Virginia. Advocates say they cause harm and fear — even if they fail. (The Virginian Pilot; Daily Press; Virginia Beach Digest)
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies and a political science professor, said there are a few questions to ask for balanced legislative coverage.
Virginia lawmakers move further away from potential Commanders stadium (WTOP; Bulletin Reporter)
“The Senate is reallocating the money the governor was hoping to spend on the study,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor with the University of Mary Washington. “For those hoping there would be a Commanders stadium in Virginia, this is a move in the wrong direction,” Farnsworth added.
It’s time for the House and Senate to swap bills. Here’s the legislation that’s survived the divided legislature. (Cardinal News)
“Anything that can be put off will be put off in an election year,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “When you are running in your districts, getting something done is good, but being able to complain that the other party blocked you from getting something done is also OK.”
Reaction to Biden’s Upcoming State of Union (CP24 Toronto)
“This is going to be a big audience for the President. We are talking about thirty million people watching it live and others getting clips online, so this is a big opportunity for Biden to not only talk about what has been going well over the last two years in office but also setting the stage for the presidential election to come,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Anti-trans bills cause harm, fear even if they fail, advocates say (Prince William Times)
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies and a political science professor, said there are a few questions to ask for balanced legislative coverage.
General Assembly Midpoint Offers Up Interesting Stats – More Issues Lay Ahead (The Roanoke Star)
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies, said there will be a delay in the passage of controversial measures.  “Even things that passed in one house that are contentious will face problems in the other house, given divided government,” Farnsworth said.
Anti-trans bills cause harm, fear even if they fail, advocates say (Henrico Citizen)
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies and a political science professor, said there are a few questions to ask for balanced legislative coverage.
Stats from General Assembly midpoint and what issues are ahead (Independent-Messenger)
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies, said there will be a delay in the passage of controversial measures. “Even things that passed in one house that are contentious will face problems in the other house, given divided government,” Farnsworth said.
Haley to Seek Presidential Bid (CTV News)
“What this might be is the breaking of that ice jam that you have seen within the Republican field so far,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Stats from General Assembly midpoint and what issues are ahead (Brunswick Times-Gazette)
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies, said there will be a delay in the passage of controversial measures. “Even things that passed in one house that are contentious will face problems in the other house, given divided government,” Farnsworth said.
Nikki Haley Running for President (CTV News)
“To me, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for any Republican seeking the Republican nomination to say anything that could potentially be seen as agist. The reality is that the vast majority of Republican voters are going to skew in the older direction,” said Stephen Farnsworth.