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The post How the Virginia election may shake up gun laws (WTOP) appeared first on EagleEye.
Category Archives: Professional Notes
How Big of a Role with Abortion Play in General Assembly and Local Races? (The Free Lance-Star)
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The post How Big of a Role with Abortion Play in General Assembly and Local Races? (The Free Lance-Star) appeared first on EagleEye.
Education a key issue in election (The Free Lance-Star)
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The post Education a key issue in election (The Free Lance-Star) appeared first on EagleEye.
Farnsworth Moderates Virginia Candidate Debates
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, has served as the moderator of several debates among candidates for elected office this fall. They include serving as moderator for the Senate of Virginia 30th District Debate (Manassas), the Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Debate (Manassas), the the Senate of Virginia 27th District Debate (Fredericksburg) and the Virginia House of Delegates 65th District Debate (Fredericksburg). The two Fredericksburg debates took place at the University of Mary Washington.
Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Virginia Republicans ignore Donald Trump (esdelatino.com)
“Republicans are much better off with early voting than without it, and we see, particularly in some of the early voting statistics, that Republicans are close to catching up with Democrats in early voting,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a science professor. policies at the University of Washington. University of Mary Washington, said The Age of Prince Williams .
Why abortion and education are key issues in the Virginia election (WTOP)
“If Republicans control both chambers of the legislature and the governor’s office, you can expect significant restrictions on abortion in Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political-science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
https://wtop.com/virginia/2023/10/why-abortion-education-are-key-issues-in-the-virginia-election/
November to Remember: Youngkin bets 15-week abortion cap will deliver 2023 GOP takeover (Washington Examiner; The Gazette)
According to a University of Mary Washington poll, 53% of Virginians say the overturn of Roe will be a “major factor” in how they vote this year.
Virginia Republicans Are Ignoring Donald Trump (Newsweek)
“Republicans are much better off with early voting than not, and we’re seeing, particularly in some of the early voting statistics, that Republicans are coming close to catching up to Democrats on early voting,” Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, told the Prince Williams Times.
Virginia Is For Lovers Who Vote Against Anti-LGBTQ, Forced-Birth Republicans (Wonkette)
“When you talk about where Virginia elections are won and lost, you’re really talking about those ‘outer ring’ suburban communities,” said [Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, and a longtime Virginia state politics watcher.]
https://www.wonkette.com/p/virginia-is-for-lovers-who-vote-against
As blue wave ebbs, Prince William is again a battleground (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said the Senate race represents a referendum both for Roem, after three terms in the House, and Youngkin, who is trying to gain control of the legislature for the final two years of his term — if he does not run for the presidency, as some Republican donors have urged him to do.
Virginia GOP candidate hopes AR-15 giveaway offer kickstarts write-in race (The Washington Post; Newser; MSN)
“If a write-in candidate fails, as they usually do, the actual cost out of pocket to make this promise is zero,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political science professor. “Politicians — especially write-ins — have to do more and more to get noticed and giving away guns can get you noticed.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/10/19/virginia-write-in-race-gun-giveawway/
Gov. Glenn Youngkin courts donors ahead of high-stakes Va. elections (WJBD; WSJM)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst at the University of Mary Washington, told ABC News that while he believes Youngkin is unlikely to launch a presidential run this election, “It is much better to be talked about than not.”
Biden’s Trip to Israel (CTV News)
“Well, I think it serves a couple of key purposes. Obviously, Israel is planning a pretty major counter offensive in the respect to the rocket attacks and the hostage taking and the murder of civilians in a border area, ” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2788938
Gov. Glenn Youngkin courts donors ahead of high-stakes Va. elections (ABC News)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst at the University of Mary Washington, told ABC News that while he believes Youngkin is unlikely to launch a presidential run this election, “It is much better to be talked about than not.”
With about two weeks left for early voting in Virginia, House District 71 race has most early votes, according to VPAP (The Virginian-Pilot)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, believes Republicans have steered clear of early voting in previous election cycles due to apprehension from former President Donald Trump. “Republicans are much better off with early voting than not, and we’re seeing, particularly in some of the early voting statistics, that Republicans are coming close to catching up to Democrats on early voting,” Farnsworth said.
Fredericksburg area to decide close legislative races (WVTF)
The views of candidates in Senate District 27 are not surprising when you consider their political parties. In a debate hosted by the University of Mary Washington, Republican Tara Durant said she would support a ban on abortion after 15 weeks – the position backed by Governor Glenn Youngkin. Democrat Joel Griffin disagreed.
https://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-10-19/fredericksburg-area-to-decide-close-legislative-races
Fredericksburg suburbs may hold key to assembly majorities (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“In many ways, this makes the area very fluid politically,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, in the heart of the region.
Glenn Youngkin thinks he has a Republican response to Democrats’ abortion attacks (Politico)
A University of Mary Washington survey last month found that 40 percent of people said they’d prefer a Democratic majority in the Legislature, and 37 percent a Republican one.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/10/15/glenn-youngkin-republicans-abortion-00121549
Gov. Youngkin’s PAC launches abortion ad as Election Day approaches (WTKR)
A recent poll from the University of Mary Washington found 53%t of voters say last year’s Supreme Court ruling on abortion would play a major factor in how they vote this year, so the ad is timely.
https://www.wtkr.com/news/gov-youngkins-pac-launches-abortion-ad-as-election-day-approaches
Youngkin’s PAC spends $1.4 million on ad claiming 15-week abortion ban is not a ban (American Independent)
The University of Mary Washington poll, released Sept. 27, found 23% of Virginians believe abortion should be illegal in all cases and 34% believe it should be legal in most cases.
https://americanindependent.com/youngkins-pac-abortion-ban-virginia/
Gov. Youngkin’s PAC launches $1.4 million ad campaign focusing on abortion (WRIC; WAVY)
The ad comes after a recent University of Mary Washington poll revealed that 53% of Virginians say the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade will play a “major factor” in deciding who they vote for this November.
https://www.wavy.com/news/gov-youngkins-pac-launches-1-4-million-ad-campaign-focusing-on-abortion
An Election In This State Could Have National Consequences For Abortion (The Huffington Post)
“A significant number of Americans may not have clear policies about international matters, but something like abortion is really, really close to home,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. “It affects individuals in a very dramatic way, it affects families in a very dramatic way, and so it’s an effective topic.”
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/virginia-election-abortion-access_n_6525b537e4b09f4b8d42264b
Spotsylvania In Trouble; Where Is The Outrage? (Fredericksburg Advance)
Speaking of Youngkin’s involvement in Loudon, University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth told NBC4 Washington in September: It serves political purposes, to be sure, for the governor to engage in Loudoun at every opportunity. I don’t know that it particularly wins him votes in Loudoun, but it certainly does energize the Republican base in other parts of the commonwealth or the country.
https://fxbgadvance.com/spotsylvania-in-trouble-where-is-the-outrage/
Farnsworth Lectures on Presidential Communication
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented an online lecture, "President Biden's Struggle to Shape the Political Narrative: White House Communication in Contentious Times," to students at McGill University in Montreal. The talk drew on Professor Farnsworth's book, "Presidential Communication and Character," published by Routledge. Dr. Farnsworth previously served as a Canada-US Fulbright Scholar at McGill.
Other recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
What’s the next abortion bellwether state? Virginia. (The Washington Post)
“What we’re seeing here in Virginia is the same pattern that we’re seeing nationally: Democratic voters are much more energized by the abortion question now that control over abortion laws is in the hands of state governments,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/06/what-next-abortion-bellwether-state-virginia/
Jennifer Wexton’s open Virginia seat will be ‘one of the most interesting congressional races’ in the country (WJLA)
“When you think about politicians looking for opportunities, there’s no better time to run for something than when there is not an incumbent running against you, so that means this will be a free-for-all probably with respect to both parties,” Farnsworth said. “One thing’s for sure, you should be watching this race because this will be one of the most interesting congressional races in the entire country.”
https://wjla.com/news/local/virginia-open-congressional-seat-10th-district-rep-jennifer-wexton-va-10-democratic-republican-politics-congress-candidates-november-2023-election-reelection-loudoun-county-phyllis-randall-senator-mark-warner
How a government shutdown would affect Virginia (AXIOS)
“Republicans in Congress are making it harder for Republicans in Virginia to win,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “Taking away someone’s paycheck, even temporarily, is a major source of anxiety.”
https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/09/28/how-government-shutdown-impact-virginia
Poll: Virginia Elections Extremely Close As Schools, Reproductive Rights Hang In Balance (Virginia Dogwood)
“Virginia has rapidly returned to its purple state status,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at UMW. “This new statewide survey shows that Virginia’s voters are basically evenly divided as they approach the upcoming Virginia legislative elections.”
https://vadogwood.com/2023/09/28/poll-virginia-elections-extremely-close-as-schools-reproductive-rights-hang-in-balance/
Virginia Republicans are being dishonest about plans to ban abortion next year (American Independent)
A University of Mary Washington poll released Wednesday may explain why Republicans are misleading voters. The survey found that 40% of Virginia adults prefer Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, while 37% favor Republican control. The same poll found that 57% of Virginians believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases and 35% said it should be illegal all or most of the time.
https://americanindependent.com/virginia-republicans-are-being-dishonest-about-plans-to-ban-abortion-next-year/
Virginia’s Public Schools Receive Positive Marks in Statewide Survey: Education and Safety Rated Highly (Bollyinside)
A recent statewide survey conducted by the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington reveals that Virginians have generally positive views of their local public-school districts.
https://www.bollyinside.com/news/education/virginias-public-schools-receive-positive-marks-in-statewide-survey-education-and-safety-rated-highly/
Youngkin’s 2024 tightrope walk depends on Va. elections (Virginia Business)
“For the governor, the stakes couldn’t be higher,” says Stephen Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political scientist. “His ability to make the case for his political future is going to depend on what he can do in the next two years. If Democrats end up with either of the two chambers, the final years of Youngkin’s term will be just as frustrating as the first two.”
https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/youngkins-2024-tightrope-walk-depends-on-va-elections/
Poll shows Virginia voters closely divided, but abortion, education policies are top issues (The Virginian-Pilot)
“In many ways, Hampton Roads is the purplest part of purple Virginia,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and the center’s director.
https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/09/28/poll-shows-virginia-voters-closely-divided-but-abortion-education-policies-are-top-issues/
University of Mary Washington poll shows Virginia legislative elections 50-50 (WINA News Radio)
Center Director Stephen Farnsworth notes among 771 likely voters who responded… Virginia is back to a purple state after flirting with a period of being blue with 42-percent wanting a Republican majority legislature… and 42-percent wanting Democrats in control.
https://wina.com/news/064460-university-of-mary-washington-poll-shows-virginia-legislative-elections-50-50/
Battlefield Virginia-Abortion, party control at stake in legislative races (Virginia Business)
With both parties eager to motivate voters, competitive races are hinging largely on negative campaigning, says political analyst Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington and a longtime observer of the legislature. “The key thing is getting your base out,” Farnsworth says. “The demonization of the other side is a tried-and-true strategy for getting your voters to actually turn out, and the way that’s done is to create sort of funhouse mirror images of the opposing party.”
https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/battlefield-virginia/
Farnsworth Lectures on Political Participation
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, "Political Participation Under Pressure," at the Constitution Day meeting of the League of Women Voters, Charlottesville, Virginia.
Recent media mentions involving Dr. Farnsworth:
[White House pleads with media outlets to scrutinize House GOP impeachment push (The Washington Times)] Stephen Farnsworth, a politics professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said there is always “a lot of give and take among government officials and reporters over how to shape the news, and this is just another example of those contentious arguments about how to contextualize current events.” “Stating the administration’s views via a memo like this is a very cost-effective way for the White House team to express itself,” he said. “Not only might the summary shape the current round of impeachment investigation stories, but the memo can also make news in its own right.” Read more.
[Virginia Decides: Education, abortion remain key issues ahead of early voting (WUSA 9)] Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of University of Mary Washington, who moderates debates, said with most voters who are already decided, energizing them to hit the polls is the goal. “The question is not about how to persuade somebody else but rather but how to make sure people who will vote for you, actually turn out to do so,” said Farnsworth. “It’s a time when it isn’t likely there will be a lot of turnouts, so, an idea of really creating a fearful environment is going to be a strategy that both parties are going to be using throughout the Fall.” Read more.
[Virginia General Assembly candidate’s campaign rocked by sex tape revelation (Nation World News NBC 29; Hartford Courant; Axios; AL.com; Washington Hispanic; Sentinel Colorado)] Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, says that even in an age more open to personal denials, Gibson is unlikely to win. “Donald Trump downwardly redefined what is acceptable in public life, but this is not the kind of behavior Democrats can sell in a suburban Richmond district,” Farnsworth said. Read more.
