Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth, who also serves as director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, will moderate the public political debate for Virginia’s 65th District House of Delegates on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. where incumbent Joshua Cole (D) will face off against Sean Steinway (R) in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium. Other media mentions for Farnsworth include: John Reid’s pitch for civility follows years as a ‘combative conservative’ (Virginia Dogwood) Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said as a radio host Reid was a “combative conservative” and a “vigorous cultural warrior.” Farnsworth added that it’s not unusual for candidates to moderate their rhetoric to appeal to a broader electorate after a primary battle. “Talk radio is an appealing environment for conservative messaging,” Farnsworth said in an interview. “But running for office in purple Virginia may require a narrative that is less focused on the hardcore conservatives who make up much of the talk radio audience.” Read more in Virginia Dogwood.  Republican State Senator Bryce Reeves to Challenge Mark Warner (WRIC-TV) “If you look at his previous congressional campaigns, he offers up a Republican message that is very focused on the issues of law and order,” Professor Stephen Farnsworth, Director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, told 8News. Read more in WRIC. Government Shutdown Mass Layoff Fears Virginia Governor Race (MSN News) “People are already anxious about the economic situation. The shutdown makes it much worse,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in MSN. Election 2025: Earle-Sears vs Spanberger race guarantees history (Virginia Business) Even without Trump’s policies disproportionately impacting Virginians, Earle-Sears would be at a disadvantage running for governor with a Republican in the White House, says Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Four years ago, some observers chalked up Democratic former Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s 2021 loss to Republican Glenn Youngkin in part due to Democratic President Joe Biden’s unpopularity. “Virginians tend to show anger against whoever is in the White House,” Farnsworth says. “The key challenge with the Earle-Sears campaign is dealing with the headwinds from the Trump administration.” Read more in Virginia Business. Sen. Bryce Reeves jumps into U.S. Senate race against Warner (Richmond Times-Dispatch) “There may be more Republicans getting into the race, which is still unclear a year out,” said Steve Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Trump’s UN speech crafted for his supporters: Political analyst (CTV News Canada) “Well, this is very much the red meat narrative that President Trump uses to connect with his base,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more in CTV News. Child safety, fake news a linchpin in final campaign strategies
(Brunswick Times- Gazette) “The reality is that there is a growing incentive to put out false information if you can do so without facing consequences,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “Rewarded behavior is repeated behavior.” Read more in Brunswick Times- Gazette. Democrats hope to extend map, pick off more GOP House seats (Richmond Times-Dispatch) “When a party has a lot of money it can put funds into races that are a reach,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in a Washington Post article titled “Virginia governor’s race hits high gear as referendum on Trump.” "The dynamics of the campaign are so different for each candidate that it makes sense they’d pursue very different themes,” said Farnsworth in the article. Read more in The Washington Post..