Among the top issues in the district, according to University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth, were the economy and data centers, of which the district is home to dozens.
“When you’re looking at the economic uncertainty that has been a result of the choices that the Trump Administration has made, this creates an immense headwind for Republicans,” said Professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, who specializes in elections and media and politics.
“it’s just a very, very difficult for Republican candidates to deal with all of those federal cutbacks, the [government] shutdown, the contractors, and everybody who is suffering now,” Farnsworth said.
“In these partisan times, many people are willing to forgive a great deal from their team and forgive nothing from people on the other team,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
“The people in the last 20 years who have moved here have moved here largely for issues of affordability,” said University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth. “And those people are really changing the dynamics of this part of Virginia.”
As Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told local news station WTOP, “You want the bragging rights of having a good year in Virginia in year one of a presidential term, to give you a sense of the inevitability of gains during year two — the midterm congressional elections.”
University of Mary Washington political analyst Dr. Stephen Farnsworth breaks down the key statewide and local General Assembly races—and how the government shutdown could help shape the results.
