Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, "Mass Media and U.S. Presidential Elections," at German-American Institute Saxony (DAI-S) in Leipzig, Germany. The talk, sponsored jointly by DAI-S, Fulbright Germany, and the American Studies Center of the University of Leipzig, was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published book, Presidential Communication and Character: White House News Management from Clinton and Cable to Twitter and Trump. Dr. Farnsworth is serving at the University of Warsaw in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.

In addition, recent media mentions for Dr. Farnsworth include:

Virginia’s 10th Congressional District primary is getting expensive (VPN)

“It’s a rare opportunity for Democrats to see an open congressional seat in the Washington suburbs, and that means that you have a huge field and a huge amount of money being spent,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “This may end up being one of the most expensive Democratic congressional primaries in the history of Virginia.”

https://www.vpm.org/news/2024-06-11/virginias-10th-congressional-district-primary-is-getting-expensive

The Democratic primary in Virginia’s 10th congressional district is getting expensive. Where is all the money coming from? (WAMU)
“It’s a rare opportunity for Democrats to see an open congressional seat in the Washington suburbs, and that means that you have a huge field and a huge amount of money being spent,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “This may end up being one of the most expensive Democratic congressional primaries in the history of Virginia.”
https://wamu.org/story/24/06/07/virginia-10th-district-democratic-primary-campaign-spending/

Political newcomer who blew whistle on Trump faces experienced foes in Democratic primary (ABC News)

Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said Vindman’s lack of political experience is offset by his popularity nationally among activists, who have donated to his campaign in droves.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/political-newcomer-blew-whistle-trump-faces-experienced-foes-110918838

NoVa primaries defined by crowded field, experts say (VPM)

“Most of these candidates are going to agree on 90, maybe even 95% of the issues,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor at the University of Mary Washington. “When you have this kind of intramural party contest, it’s often hard, particularly in a big field, to stand up for something that others are not also standing up for.”

https://www.vpm.org/news/2024-06-06/virginia-seventh-tenth-congress-primary-elections

Conviction of Donald Trump and the Impact on American Democracy (Soundcloud)

“It is true that the founding fathers did not put in the constitution the prohibition against a felon running for elected office mainly because they thought they would not need to. They thought that the judgment of the public would be sufficiently discerning,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

Biden Signs Order Shutting Down Mexico Border Asylum Requests (CTV News)

“Well, this is something that clearly had to happen for the Biden campaign to deal with the biggest issue, or at least one of the two biggest issues that Biden is facing with the vote right not,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2934350

13 candidates vie for Virginia’s most competitive congressional district (WVTF)

When Abigail Spanberger announced plans to give up her spot in Congress to run for Governor in Virginia, the news touched off a feeding frenzy according to Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “There is a huge list of candidates running in Virginia’s 7th District. It’s a Prince William, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County district that is the most competitive district of the 11 congressional districts in Virginia,” he says.

https://www.wvtf.org/news/2024-06-05/13-candidates-vie-for-virginias-most-competitive-congressional-district

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, "Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor in U.S. Presidential Elections," at Europa University Viadrina, in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. The talk, sponsored jointly by Fulbright Poland and Fulbright Germany, was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth's recently published co-authored book, Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving at the University of Warsaw in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.

In addition, recent media mentions for Dr. Farnsworth include:

Jury begins deliberations in Trump Trial (CTV News)

“Well, there is really no way of knowing how long this could go,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2931002

The Kennedy Who Wants to Dynamite the Presidential Campaign (The Sunday Tribune, Paris)

“Almost all of the voters fear the other camp enough they will avoid voting for a third party candidate to make sure that the major party candidate that they like the least does not win,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientists at the University of Mary Washington.

Closing arguments begin today in Trump’s trial (CTV News)

“This is a time when the two sides really have to take weeks of evidence and figure our a way to distill it in a way that the jury can appreciate and focus on the things that that side wants,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2930898

Hogan makes abortion-rights stand in Senate race (WTOP)
“Gov. Hogan had to make an ad like this. In pro-choice Maryland, being a Republican in a time when Roe vs. Wade has been overturned is very difficult in a statewide election,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political-science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
https://wtop.com/maryland-election/2024/05/hogan-makes-pro-choice-stand-in-senate-race/

Both sides rest in Donald Trump hush money trial (CTV News)

Well, this really wasn’t a surprise to anyone. Donald Trump always says he is going to do something,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

https://regina.ctvnews.ca/video/c2926094-both-sides-rest-in-donald-trump-hush-money-trial?playlistId=1.6844226

Prince William board signals support for 400-unit housing development in mid-county environmental zone (Inside NOVA)

“Virginia has rapidly returned to its purple state status,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and the Center’s director.

https://www.insidenova.com/headlines/prince-william-board-signals-support-for-400-unit-housing-development-in-mid-county-environmental-zone/article_9482e690-13db-11ef-a69d-2bacc8a88204.html

Youngkin Vetoes Measures to Remove Tax Breaks for Confederate Heritage Group (The New York Times)

The governor has consistently worked in a direction that would endear him to the Republican base,” Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said in April, after the assembly passed the bills. He added that because of political and cultural shifts in Virginia in recent years, he expected the tax exemptions to be revoked the next time a Democrat becomes governor.

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, "Entertainment Media and Politics: Late-Night Political Humor and the American Presidency," at the American Studies Center of the University of Warsaw in Poland. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth's recently published from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored book, Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.

In addition, recent media mentions for Dr. Farnsworth include:

After Spanberger: 7th District Dems run local race in national spotlight (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

“It’s very clear the Republicans don’t want to run against Vindman,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.

https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/after-spanberger-7th-district-dems-run-local-race-in-national-spotlight/article_52397ac8-0ca7-11ef-94b3-5746ab5c0ddb.html

In 7th District primary, Republicans debate party’s future (Richmond Times Dispatch; The Daily Progress)

“Six months ago, I might have expected Anderson to be nominated in a walk,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “Increasingly, the Republican primary is showing up as a referendum on what the future of the Republican Party should be. Should it be Speaker Mike Johnson or Bob Good or Rand Paul?”

https://richmond.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/elections/virginia-primary-7th-district-republicans-anderson-hamilton-myers-spanberger/article_55aaa22a-0e25-11ef-8a47-1f2cd6cbdc75.html

Campaign contributions reveal Fauquier’s north-south divide (Fauquier Times)

“Increasingly, it may make sense to think of Fauquier as a county with a much redder south and a more purple north,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington.

https://www.fauquier.com/news/campaign-contributions-reveal-fauquier-s-north-south-divide/article_64c0c3f6-0d3b-11ef-a59b-3f5345b4c077.html#tncms-source=Front%20Page%20Top%20Headlines%201-4

Late Night Goes Soft on Biden (Politico)

According to Stephen Farnsworth, the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of Late Night with Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency, there was another reason for the shift in attitude: ratings.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/05/03/late-night-goes-soft-on-biden-00154694

Trump Back In New York Court (CTV News Canada)

“Judging from the judge’s comments this morning, it does seem as if there is going to be another rounds of sanctions,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2915108

State Sen. Hashmi of Chesterfield enters 2025 lieutenant governor’s race (Virginia Dogwood)

“Sen. Hashmi enters the race as a serious candidate for LG,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “She has an effective track record as a legislator in Richmond. Her focus on health concerns provides a specific appeal to the many Democratic primary voters concerned about the affordability and availability of health care.”

https://vadogwood.com/2024/05/02/state-sen-hashmi-of-chesterfield-enters-2025-lieutenant-governors-race

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a keynote lecture, “Battling Disinformation with Political Humor,” at the Navigating the Digital World of Tomorrow Conference, which was sponsored by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth's recently published co-authored books, Producing News in a Time of Disinformation: Information Evaluation Strategies for Journalists and News Consumers and Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.

In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

What Impact will Pecker’s Testimony have? (CTV News Canada)

“This is something that is going to be going on for several weeks, and this will be one of the most uncomfortable moments of Donald Trump’s life, this week and the next week and the weeks beyond,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2911719

Vindman has huge fundraising lead in 7th District race (Prince William Times)

“A lot of Virginia Democrats like Vindman because he has a national security background that can connect with the prominent military presence in the district,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “His huge fundraising advantage creates a very difficult environment for other Democrats in the race.”

https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/vindman-has-huge-fundraising-lead-in-7th-district-race/article_62d870aa-0266-11ef-9e87-ef29a61a22a7.html

Day 5 of Trump’s Trial Concludes (CTV News Canada)
“The first days of these trials are always about giving the jury a road map for how to proceed. I think one of the key things that the prosecution has to focus on is the idea that this is not primarily about hush money. This is about trying to distort what the public knew in advance about the election of 2016,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2908973

ANALYSIS: District 7 Has Become Pricey (FXBG Advance)

“When the Seventh was largely a suburban Richmond district (before the 2020 Census redistricting),” says Mary Washington University professor Stephen Farnsworth, “it was seen as safely Republican, at least until Abigail Spanberger demonstrated a Democratic candidate could win there.” “The Seventh District,” says Farnsworth, “has become one of the most expensive districts in the nation for two reasons: it is the most competitive congressional district in the very expensive Washington television market, and the district’s proximity to DC means that candidates have no problem raising a lot of money from the wealthy donors. Both parties want the bragging rights that come from winning this high-profile district.”

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, "Policy Issues in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election," at Maria Curie Skłodowska University in Lublin, Poland. Dr. Farnsworth is serving as the Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in the American Studies Program at the at the University of Warsaw.

Recent media mentions involving Dr. Farnsworth include:

‘Bipartisanship’ fizzles as General Assembly session ends (Chatham Star Tribune)

Another point of contention among lawmakers is establishing a regulated cannabis market. Democrats may have to wait for a new governor before making progress on cannabis, according to Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Read more.

Virginia lawmakers concerned Gov. Youngkin could scrap budget proposal amid declining bipartisanship (The Virginian-Pilot)

Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, said he can’t recall any governor shooting down the entire budget. But he noted that bipartisanship is in decline.

“We really have seen a sort of downward trend in the ability of people in Richmond to work together across party lines,” he said. “A generation ago, moderates of both parties would have worked out a deal. Increasingly though, there aren’t that many moderates left.” Read more.

After vetoes, Youngkin’s budget “olive branch” unlikely to persuade Democrats (Virginia Dogwood)

Even as Youngkin struck a more conciliatory tone in budget talks with the General Assembly, “significant daylight” remains between the two sides, which have a history of contentious debate going back to the Youngkin’s first days in office, Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said in an interview. “The governor has offered an olive branch, but it’s a relatively small olive branch,” Farnsworth said. “My guess is the Democrats are going to want more from what they’ve seen from the governor so far. Read more.

Jury Selection Resumes in Trump Trial (CTV News Canada)

“We should be prepared for a long slog with this case. What you are seeing so far is the reality of a man who is intensely polarized in the United States,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more.

Farnsworth Lectures in Lublin, Poland, on US Presidential Election

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, "Disinformation, the News Media, and U.S. Presidential Elections," at the University of Warsaw in Poland. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth's recently published co-authored book, book, Producing News in a Time of Disinformation: Information Evaluation Strategies for Journalists and News Consumers. Dr. Farnsworth is serving in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.

Dr. Farnsworth was also quoted in a number of media reports, including those below.

‘Bipartisanship’ fizzled in General Assembly this session

Another point of contention among lawmakers is establishing a regulated cannabis market. Democrats may have to wait for a new governor before making progress on cannabis, according to Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “This governor hasn’t shown much interest in coming up with a cannabis plan … and the Democrats in the legislature may very well wait it out for a subsequent governor’s cannabis plan,” Farnsworth said. Read more.

‘Bipartisanship’ fizzled in General Assembly this session

https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/bipartisanship-fizzles-as-general-assembly-session-ends/embed/#?secret=tOohr5Rw7Z#?secret=CqacNEtxZU

Although the North American economy is in good condition, this does not translate into support for Biden (Cronicas)

The fact that both have previously been heads of state is something quite peculiar. According to Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, this “levels the battleground quite a bit, because they both have experience campaigning for the presidency.” However, this has the downside that “it will be very difficult for campaigns to persuade new voters,” since “people already have a very clear idea of which candidate they prefer.” Read more.

These City Councils Are Changing Their Public Comment Rules as Gaza Ceasefire Debates Dominate (Next City)

Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, says the new restrictions highlight the “difficult balancing act” facing municipalities. “The bigger question for these cities is, do they really want to be making it more difficult for citizens to engage with elected officials?” Farnsworth says. “It’s a key measure to get a sense of the public’s pulse, so to speak, if you can have these vibrant comment periods.” Read more.

Amid calls for Gaza ceasefire, Richmond City Council restricts public comment (VPM)

Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, told VPM News/Next City the new restrictions highlight the “difficult balancing act” facing municipalities. “The bigger question for these cities is, do they really want to be making it more difficult for citizens to engage with elected officials?” Farnsworth said. “It’s a key measure to get a sense of the public’s pulse, so to speak, if you can have these vibrant comment periods.” Read more.