Category Archives: Department of Political Science

Debates set in four Fredericksburg-area General Assembly races (Free Lance-Star)

Elections such as this one, in a year with no major national or statewide offices on the ballot, typically draw less interest and a lower turnout. But there is plenty at stake Nov. 5 as Democrats hope to swing control of the legislature away from the GOP, which holds a narrow edge in both the House and Senate.

UMW Professor Stephen Farnsworth noted that while most of the news “focuses on what is happening in Washington, it’s important for us to remember that what happens in Richmond plays an important role in the way we live.”

“Either party can win,” he added, pointing out that the state has a narrow divide between party lines and a lot can happen between now and November.

Farnsworth also said there are many “contentious issues” tied to the campaigns and politics in general, including the Mountain Valley Pipeline; gun laws; controversy surrounding the governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general; and President Trump and his policies. All this adds up to what he called “a particularly interesting election.”

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Trump: Trump Criticizes US Jewish Democrats (CTV News Canada)

“It’s very clear from the American Jewish groups that Donald Trump is once again trying to divide the country using religion as a vehicle to advance his own interests …,” said University of Mary Washington Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth. “I don’t know that a lot of Jewish Americans are going to take Donald Trump’s advice all that seriously. They certainly didn’t support him in 2016. About four-to-one, Jewish Americans voted for Hillary Clinton.”

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Virginia Republican in close race now backs ‘red flag’ gun bill (Washington Post)

Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said suburban Republicans like Hugo and Miyares are walking a fine line on volatile issues like gun control as Democrats make inroads in those communities.

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Presidential health, a public or private matter? (Revista Credencial)

Professor Stephen J. Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, says that silence is even more unhealthy for the security of a country: “The rumors are worse than the facts, also the truth comes to light relatively quickly when there are health problems.”

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Va. candidate backed by Democratic Socialists draws attacks from Senate Minority Leader Richard Saslaw (Washington Post)

“In any primary, you need consistent prodding to get people to the polls,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. “The one thing that can counter money is work on the ground. When you have a lot of energetic volunteers knocking on doors, money may not be as decisive.”

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