December 17, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Farnsworth Lectures on Trump’s Public Policy Shifts

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Professor of Political Science and Director of the UMW's Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science and Director of the UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science and Director of the UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth recently presented a lecture, “The Policy Consequences of the 2024 Presidential Election (so far),” before the Fredericksburg area chapter of the American Association of University Women.

Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

Democrats’ identity crisis: Youth revolt rocks party after Trump comeback (Yahoo News; WFIN; Total News)
“Beating the other side is more important to many voters [rather] than who exactly is representing your own team,” said University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/democrats-identity-crisis-youth-revolt-150905982.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAK9axsT2bFmg-O51tNrCh6fOOOF1fRYTV5BK_9_sFkdSu_iDFgdh_QgV4lm5bXMggK4oR6O2jbftpk8xMAuwHe5RLIG8r9GgyZqQpViBhq4q0mWmoZJKorBTNFPEfo9LQIdylgHBmf5d1FeFK3pVWV0jbJSlbGl4qzS7kxjj0S
https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/democrats-identity-crisis-youth-revolt-rocks-party-after-trump-comeback/
https://totalnews.com/democrats-identity-crisis-youth-revolt-rocks-party-after-trump-comeback/


In Trump’s America, women trade progressive politics for pearls for the ‘tradwife’ idyll (The Straits Times Singapore)
Political science professor Stephen Farnsworth from the University of Mary Washington, and author of Presidential Communication And Character, said: “Politicians who are familiar with or supportive of the tradwife movement can build a devoted following among those adherents because these politicians are demonstrating that they understand and can connect with that element of the voting public. Paying attention to those communities, particularly energised ones, is becoming increasingly the reality of politics in this country. If you don’t reach out to your most energised potential supporters, you are undermining your ability to win a party nomination.”
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/in-trumps-america-women-trade-progressive-politics-for-pearls-for-the-tradwife-idyll

Virginia candidates raise over $20 million as 2025 election season heats up (The Northern Virginia Daily)
“I think it’s important to note that that funding gap will narrow now that the legislative session is over,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “Now that the lieutenant governor is a Republican nominee, I imagine some Republicans were waiting for a resolution of the nomination process before weighing in with donations.”
https://www.nvdaily.com/virginia-candidates-raise-over-20-million-as-2025-election-season-heats-up/article_bba30fc4-486b-5a42-95ad-45949fc4b113.html

Democrats appear to turn on each other as generational divide brews within the party (Fox News)
“Beating the other side is more important to many voters than who exactly is representing their own team,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6371619214112

Virginia Democrats reap fundraising gains as they center campaigns around Elon Musk (CBS 4; The Minnesota Star Tribune; Greenwich Times; The REgister Citizen; MSN; AP News)
“Virginia elections are often about angry voters, and the most angry group of voters is the party who lost the White House the year before,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “Democrats are angry, and they’re putting their money where their irritation is.”
https://cbs4indy.com/news/politics/ap-politics/ap-virginia-democrats-reap-fundraising-gains-as-they-center-campaigns-around-elon-musk/
https://www.startribune.com/virginia-democrats-reap-fundraising-gains-as-they-center-campaigns-around-elon-musk/601333505
https://www.greenwichtime.com/news/politics/article/virginia-democrats-reap-fundraising-gains-as-they-20281809.php
https://www.registercitizen.com/news/politics/article/virginia-democrats-reap-fundraising-gains-as-they-20281809.php
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/virginia-democrats-reap-fundraising-gains-as-they-center-campaigns-around-elon-musk/ar-AA1D8hZn
https://apnews.com/article/virginia-elections-donors-report-elon-musk-8ee4a569bc5a043cbd21f3d8c2d4f0fe

‘I hope they just maul each other;’ Virginia’s 2025 election season gets underway (WVTF)
There are a small number of primaries for House of Delegates seats, but the total number of down ballot races in November could benefit those at the top, says University of Mary Washington professor Steven Farnsworth. “If you run a party candidate in as many districts as possible, you’ll increase the turnout,” Farnsworth said. “That can help the candidates for governor.”
https://www.wvtf.org/news/2025-04-16/i-hope-they-just-maul-each-other-virginias-2025-election-season-get-underway

Big Bucks, big stakes: Virginia candidates raise over $20 Million as 2025 election season heats up (Yahoo; 12onyourside.com; WTOP)
“I think it’s important to note that that funding gap will narrow now that the legislative session is over,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “Now that the lieutenant governor is a Republican nominee, I imagine some Republicans were waiting for a resolution of the nomination process before weighing in with donations.”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/big-bucks-big-stakes-virginia-185105550.html
https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/04/17/big-bucks-big-stakes-virginia-candidates-raise-over-20-million-2025-election-season-heats-up/
https://wtop.com/virginia/2025/04/big-bucks-big-stakes-virginia-candidates-raise-over-20-million-as-2025-election-season-heats-up/

Republicans in swing districts unite in ‘Purple Caucus’ ahead of Va. House races (The Northern Virginia Daily)
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington sees this as part of a larger trend. He said when parties become more ideologically rigid, lawmakers from swing districts can start to feel squeezed.  “This is a constant problem,” Farnsworth said. “For years, Congress had what they called the Blue Dog Caucus, where more moderate Democrats tried to chart a different course than the party leadership.”
https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/republicans-in-swing-districts-unite-in-purple-caucus-ahead-of-va-house-races/article_423cc2b7-42a4-51db-a2b6-242af87e298b.html

Big Bucks, big stakes: Virginia candidates raise over $20 Million as 2025 election season heats up (Virginia Mercury)
“I think it’s important to note that that funding gap will narrow now that the legislative session is over,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “Now that the lieutenant governor is a Republican nominee, I imagine some Republicans were waiting for a resolution of the nomination process before weighing in with donations.”
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/04/16/big-bucks-big-stakes-virginia-candidates-raise-over-20-million-as-2025-election-season-heats-up/

Republicans in swing districts unite in ‘Purple Caucus’ ahead of Va. House races (Daily News-Record)
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington sees this as part of a larger trend. He said when parties become more ideologically rigid, lawmakers from swing districts can start to feel squeezed. “This is a constant problem,” Farnsworth said. “For years, Congress had what they called the Blue Dog Caucus, where more moderate Democrats tried to chart a different course than the party leadership.”
https://www.dnronline.com/news/politics_and_government/republicans-in-swing-districts-unite-in-purple-caucus-ahead-of-va-house-races/article_030f8ad2-107c-56c4-b398-61cccc53b5a2.html

Republicans in swing districts unite in ‘Purple Caucus’ ahead of Va. House races (Virginia Mercury)
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington sees this as part of a larger trend. He said when parties become more ideologically rigid, lawmakers from swing districts can start to feel squeezed. “This is a constant problem,” Farnsworth said. “For years, Congress had what they called the Blue Dog Caucus, where more moderate Democrats tried to chart a different course than the party leadership.”
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/04/14/republicans-in-swing-districts-unite-in-purple-caucus-ahead-of-va-house-races/

Virginia governor’s race cause for optimism and concern in both parties (Washington Examiner)
“Virginia voters usually rally behind the party that lost the White House in greater numbers when they vote for governor a year later,” Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, told the Washington Examiner.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/premium/3370661/virginia-governor-race-cause-optimism-concern-both-parties/

Virginia Governor’s Race Set (DC News Now)
“No, this is the best-case scenario for both of these candidates. When you are thinking about running for a statewide office in Virginia, it is best not to have a primary,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.dcnewsnow.com/news/capitol-review/virginia-governors-race-set/

From the Top Down, Virginia’s 2025 Elections are Packed With Contenders (Virginia Mercury, Fauquier Now, Inside NoVa)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said the absence of a gubernatorial primary gives both major candidates a strategic edge heading into November. “This is the best case scenario for both of the candidates,” Farnsworth said.
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/04/08/from-the-top-down-virginias-2025-elections-are-packed-with-contenders/
https://www.fauquiernow.com/news/government_politics/from-the-top-down-virginia-s-2025-elections-are-packed-with-contenders/article_ba5562d6-b512-4c6d-b615-40cb38a391a0.html
https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/from-the-top-down-virginia-s-2025-elections-are-packed-with-contenders/article_2f07813d-d118-5206-8257-80525b8ec129.html

Virginia Governor’s Race Cause for Optimism and Concern in Both Parties (MSN.com)
“Virginia voters usually rally behind the party that lost the White House in greater numbers when they vote for governor a year later,” Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, told the Washington Examiner.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/virginia-governor-s-race-cause-for-optimism-and-concern-in-both-parties/ar-AA1CJoyB

Editorial: Virginia Gubernatorial Preview (FXBG Advance)
The contest for governor is set. Unlike four years ago, it’s Republicans facing headwinds as we race toward November. Stephen J. Farnsworth is professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, where he directs the Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Anders Barretta is a senior political science and geography double major at UMW.
https://www.fxbgadvance.com/p/virginia-gubernatorialpreview?utm_source=substack&utm _medium=email

Farnsworth Delivers Research Paper on Political Humor

by

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 recently presented a co-authored research paper titled “Patterns of Political Ridicule in Late-Night Political Humor in the United States” at the Character Assassination and Reputation Politics (CARP) Conference at George Mason University.

In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

Why a GOP primary challenge is upending Virginia’s governor race (Washington Examiner)
“Donald Trump’s name will not appear on the Virginia ballot, but the reality is the gubernatorial race this year will be all about President Trump,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “Democrats will bring up the president at every opportunity, given his unpopularity in the commonwealth as a way of motivating the Democratic base.”

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/state/3370284/virginia-governor-race-winsome-earle-sears-primary-challenger/

Trump looms large as Virginia turns to election season (Daily Progress)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, said that in the campaigns to come “Democrats will make Trump the first name of every Republican who’s on the ballot.”
https://dailyprogress.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/article_fac18b3d-e19d-5dbf-985b-52eeb1808d7d.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Democrats’ pivot back to class warfare sees early returns in Wisconsin (Washington Examiner)
“Angry voters are more likely to turn out, and that benefited Republicans during the Biden years, and it’s benefiting Democrats during the Trump years,” Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said. “What’s particularly interesting about 2025 is that Democrats are also able to use Elon Musk as the villain.” Farnsworth said that he sees a pivot, at least in Wisconsin, to an “anti-oligarch” narrative.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/in_focus/3368733/democrats-class-warfare-campaigns-susan-crawford-trump-musk-wisconsin/

Virginia General Assembly reconvenes to address Gov. Youngkin’s amendments (WUSA)
“The main thing you saw in session and will see in the veto session today is an environment where people are just kicking the can down the road,” said political science expert Dr. Stephen Farnsworth. “Democrats and Republicans are mainly interested in bringing forward issues they want to campaign on in November.”
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/politics/virginia-general-assembly-reconvenes-address-glenn-youngkin-amendments/65-fb4bef27-351c-4710-af92-875f1e3df13a

Special elections signal Blue resurgence in America. Should the GOP worry? (TRT Global)
Dr Stephen J Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies, University of Mary Washington, underscores the significance of this shift. “The Democrats in Congress have yet to agree on a unified strategy for countering Trump. While minority parties cannot do a lot to counter an opposing party’s president, it’s clear that aggressive efforts by some Democrats — like the anti-oligarch rallies — are finding a lot of support among Democratic activists,” Farnsworth tells TRT World.
https://trt.global/world/article/ac74a09df3f3

Political theater takes center stage as legislature returns for veto session (ALX Now)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst from the University of Mary Washington, offered a candid assessment of Virginia’s current legislative dynamics this year, characterizing both the regular and Wednesday’s veto session as exercises in political positioning rather than substantive governance. “This was a kick-the-can-down-the-road legislative session, and it will be a kick-the-can-down-the-road veto session,” he said.
https://www.alxnow.com/2025/04/02/political-theater-takes-center-stage-as-legislature-returns-for-veto-session/

Political theater takes center stage as legislature returns for veto session (Virginia Mercury; Yahoo.com)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst from the University of Mary Washington, offered a candid assessment of Virginia’s current legislative dynamics this year, characterizing both the regular and Wednesday’s veto session as exercises in political positioning rather than substantive governance. “This was a kick-the-can-down-the-road legislative session, and it will be a kick-the-can-down-the-road veto session,” he said.
https://virginiamercury.com/2025/04/02/political-theater-takes-center-stage-as-legislature-returns-for-veto-session/

https://www.yahoo.com/news/political-theater-takes-center-stage-092904960.html

Trump Says He’s Considering Ways to Serve a Third Term as President (CP 24 TV Toronto)
“The Constitution is very clear about this. You serve two terms and you are done,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://review.bellmedia.ca/view/1576588634

Scorecard: How your legislators fared in the General Assembly session (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“Republicans did it to Democrats, Democrats do it to Republicans,” said Steve Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “But when you’re in the minority party, you’re never going to have a Ted Williams year, especially in these partisan times,” he said, referring to the last major leaguer to hit .400.
https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/article_6861075f-f205-4e30-92a3-9a0454e7c3d4.html

School Board Chair Babur Lateef stresses anti-Trump moves in crowded primary race (Prince William Times)
Stephen J. Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, says that, in a crowded race like this, candidates must find a way to stand out, and it doesn’t hurt to come from an area with a lot of Democratic voters, such as Prince William County.
https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/school-board-chair-babur-lateef-stresses-anti-trump-moves-in-crowded-primary-race/article_e46f7ebf-f795-4cb3-af23-8a0ac6e2882b.html

The clock is ticking for Virginia’s gubernatorial hopefuls to make the ballot (National Journal)
Two Republicans are angling to take on Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the gubernatorial primary, potentially denying her what was once was expected to be a stress-free path to the nomination. (see PDF)