Farnsworth Discusses GOP Messaging Advantage in TRT Global
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in a TRT Global article titled “Losing message war: Why Democrats are struggling to challenge Trump.” In the article, Farnsworth said, “Republicans have been much better at painting the Democrats as out of touch than the reverse,” noting the GOP’s success in shaping public perception through messaging. Read the article from TRT Global.
Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:
‘A warning signal’: is this the beginning of the end for late-night comedy? (The Guardian; TRT Global)
Stephen Farnsworth, a co-author of Late Night With Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency, says: “It was a comforting collection of lighter fare before bed. It was for people who work second shifts in factories, people who just wanted a joke or two and a celebrity interview before they drop off. It was a cultural experience back in the days of Carson where you had one show that dominated above all and it had those moments that people would talk about the next day at work.” Read more in The Guardian and TRT Global.
Stephen Farnsworth, a co-author of Late Night With Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency, says: “It was a comforting collection of lighter fare before bed. It was for people who work second shifts in factories, people who just wanted a joke or two and a celebrity interview before they drop off. It was a cultural experience back in the days of Carson where you had one show that dominated above all and it had those moments that people would talk about the next day at work.” Read more in The Guardian and TRT Global.
Republicans are speaking out about gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears’ campaign (Virginia Political Newsletter)
“Ultimately unified beats divided anytime,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “And the Republican Party’s inability to really get together is yet another problem for a party that’s already looking at a difficult year.” Read more in Virginia Political Newsletter.
Virginia House in the balance: 5 key races to watch this fall (Virginia Mercury)
“It’s no surprise that the most competitive districts right now are in Republican hands,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “This is an environment where Republicans are facing significant headwinds for a bunch of reasons, and that’s creating a tailwind that would help Democrats who, in other years, might be more vulnerable.” Read more in Virginia Mercury.
Republicans Suddenly Distrust Jobs Data After Trump Fires Statistics Chief (The New York Times)
Stephen J. Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said even though much of the economic news Ms. McEntarfer delivered to the Trump White House was positive, “that wasn’t enough.” “The firing is a warning to other government officials that Trump pays very close attention to whether the news makes him look good or not,” he said. “The larger issue is what this means for markets and for investors. If we’re talking about an environment where the impartiality or accuracy of government statistics is called into question, it’s much harder for people to make rational and informed choices.” Read more in The New York Times.
Stephen J. Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said even though much of the economic news Ms. McEntarfer delivered to the Trump White House was positive, “that wasn’t enough.” “The firing is a warning to other government officials that Trump pays very close attention to whether the news makes him look good or not,” he said. “The larger issue is what this means for markets and for investors. If we’re talking about an environment where the impartiality or accuracy of government statistics is called into question, it’s much harder for people to make rational and informed choices.” Read more in The New York Times.
Trump suggests he may endorse Earle-Sears for VA governor (Fox 5 DC; MSN)
University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth pointed out that Trump often endorses candidates he sees as winners. “The polls are really unfavorable right now, and it might be a really difficult environment to get a full-throated endorsement,” he said. Read more in Fox 5 DC or in MSN.
Virginia House in the Balance: 5 Key Races to Watch this Fall (Williamsburg Yorktown Daily)
“It’s no surprise that the most competitive districts right now are in Republican hands,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “This is an environment where Republicans are facing significant headwinds for a bunch of reasons, and that’s creating a tailwind that would help Democrats who, in other years, might be more vulnerable.” Read more in Williamsburg Yorktown Daily.
Farnsworth Discusses Political Donor Support for WVTF
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in a WVTF article titled “Some Democratic candidates may not receive as much donor support as others this election cycle.”
In the article, Farnsworth said “Donors have to figure out where their money can be best spent, and that means very viable candidates may not be as appealing to a donor as somebody else is. It’s a painful reality of politics that donors engage in triage, figuring out campaigns that are most effective users of donations versus those that may be good users but not at the top of the list.” Read the article from WVTF.
Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Paucity of details on immigration arrests highlights Youngkin’s pattern of misstatements
“I think there’s an increasing temptation, particularly for Republican officeholders, to make claims first and provide the evidence later … if ever,” Stephen Farnsworth, University of Mary Washington political science professor, told me. “In the era of Donald Trump, strict adherence to the facts can be an inconvenience.” See articles in Virginia Mercury and WV News.
Will the State Department’s loss of seasoned diplomats diminish America’s global sway?
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, echoes Williams’ perspective. “President Trump has long had his doubts about the federal bureaucracy, where there are rules and procedures that limit what Trump wants to do,” he told TRT World. See article in TRT Global.
Spanberger outraises Earle-Sears 2-to-1 in Virginia governor’s race
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington said the new fundraising and polling numbers paint a clear picture of where each party is focusing its energy — and where the GOP may be shifting its bets. See articles in Virginia Mercury, Yahoo, and WTOP.
Endorsements Are the New Front in Partisan Local Politics
“We’ve come a long way from the tradition of nonpartisan local contests,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “As everything has gotten more partisan in American and Virginia politics, they’ve gotten more partisan in local elections.” See article in FXBG Advance.
Some Democratic candidates may not receive as much donor support as others this election cycle (WVTF)
Endorsements Are the New Front in Partisan Local Politics (FXBG Advance)
Spanberger outraises Earle-Sears 2-to-1 in Virginia governor’s race (Virginia Mercury; Yahoo; WTOP)
Will the State Department’s loss of seasoned diplomats diminish America’s global sway? (TRT Global)
Paucity of details on immigration arrests highlights Youngkin’s pattern of misstatements (Virginia Mercury; WV News)
Virginia Democrats are eyeing 13 potential seats that could flip blue this year (WMRA)
Farnsworth Analyzes Political Dynamics in TRT World
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in a TRT World article titled “Elon Musk backs Conservative rebels, blasts GOP, teases a new party: What is the billionaire up to?” In the article, Farnsworth provided analysis on the political dynamics between Trump and Musk, noting that “In any competition between Trump and Musk, some form of compromise seems the most likely eventual outcome.” Read the article.
Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Virginia’s top prosecutor targets drugs, crime — and Northern Va. schools (The Washington Post)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said that part of Youngkin’s success in 2021 came from his status as a political newcomer. With little to no record to answer for, the businessman turned politician was able to shape his stances on topics such as education as he went. “Youngkin was something of a blank slate,” Farnsworth said. “People could imagine Youngkin in a variety of ways, because he was such an unknown. Miyares doesn’t have that option. He’s been attorney general for four years.”
Virginia Democrats are eyeing 13 potential seats that could flip blue this year (WVTF)
Lucky 13 is the target number of seats this year for Democrats, who are hoping to flip the districts from red to blue. Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says the battleground is suburban. “They’re often in outer ring suburban communities, particularly in the Richmond and Hampton Roads area where elections are won and lost in Virginia. These are contested spaces, these outer ring suburban counties,” Farnsworth says. “They’re not rural. They’re not really urban. But they are places where both parties often can be competitive.”
Special Election set in Virginia’s 11th District (DC News Now; MSN)
“I think it is very important to remember that there is not much either of the candidates can do or say that has all that much of an impact in a district that is overwhelmingly democratic in its orientation,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/special-election-set-in-virginia-s-11th-district/vi-AA1I09Vs
Democrats and Republicans were out on the Virginia campaign trail. Here’s what they had to say. (Yahoo.com; The Virginian Pilot; The Charlotte Observer)
“To describe the Republican rally as a unity rally requires a very flexible definition of unity,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “The party candidates barely appeared on stage together, did not have a lot to say about each other, and generally have a kind of problematic history for imagining that they’re going to be able to work together this fall.”
Virginia Democrats are eyeing 13 potential seats that could flip blue this year (WMRA)
Lucky 13 is the target number of seats this year for Democrats, who are hoping to flip the districts from red to blue. Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says the battleground is suburban. “They’re often in outer ring suburban communities, particularly in the Richmond and Hampton Roads area where elections are won and lost in Virginia. These are contested spaces, these outer ring suburban counties,” Farnsworth says. “They’re not rural. They’re not really urban. But they are places where both parties often can be competitive.”
https://www.wmra.org/2025-07-07/virginia-democrats-are-eyeing-13-potential-seats-that-could-flip-blue-this-year
https://www.wmra.org/2025-07-07/virginia-democrats-are-eyeing-13-potential-seats-that-could-flip-blue-this-year
Youngkin sets veto record as energy, AI fuel gridlock (Virginia Business)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, says that candidates running for seats this year in the House of Delegates are hearing from voters about the issue of data centers, AI and energy generation.
https://virginiabusiness.com/youngkin-vetoes-data-centers-energy-ai-elections/
https://virginiabusiness.com/youngkin-vetoes-data-centers-energy-ai-elections/
Virginia Democrats Sprint to Win Primary to Replace Connolly (Bloomburg Industry)
“The main thing that might come out of this primary is a sense of the vision of what the Democratic Party should look like in the minds of the very engaged, very affluent Democratic voters in this district,” Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said in an interview. “Virginia Democrats are much more combative and unified against Republicans than Washington Democrats are.”