Category Archives: sfarnswo

Farnsworth Delivers Online Lecture on the Trump Presidency

Farnsworth Delivers Online Lecture on the Trump Presidency Professor Emeritus of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth recently delivered an online lecture, “Domestic and International Policy Challenges During the Second Trump Presidency,” to students at the Universidad Anáhuac in Puebla, Mexico.   Media mentions for Farnsworth include: Maryland’s 5th Congressional District race features one of the country’s most crowded fields (WUSA9) “In many ways it comes down to two or three candidates who have generated some level of recognition from endorsement, from support from financial backers or from something that they did like being a hero of January 6,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Voters should expect party politics in this nonpartisan school board race (The Baltimore Banner) “School board elections in Montgomery County and nationally are increasingly taking on partisan coloration, even if party labels are not used,” University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth said.
While it seems no one left Richmond Monday happy, University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth said any deal is better than no deal for the Democratic trifecta currently leading the Commonwealth.
Farnsworth said Spanberger appears to be caught between different audiences. “The governor’s current battle is really to persuade Virginians to support her over the Democratic majority of the Senate,” he said.
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth is a Political Science Professor at the University of Mary Washington. He says voters decide how they feel about it. “What is happening in this race happens in a lot of congressional races around the country. People who are connected will bring a lot of money to the table. Voters may find that acceptable. It’s legal. Voters may not find it acceptable. It’s up to them to decide,” said Dr. Farnsworth.
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Farnsworth Featured in Column by Fredericksburg Free Press

Farnsworth Featured in Column by Fredericksburg Free Press Professor Emeritus of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth was featured by the Fredericksburg Free Press in a column titled, "Thank you to the professor who has been taking my calls for almost 30 years." Columnist Jonathan Hunley begins the article by writing, "No more faculty meetings, and no more papers to grade. But we’ll still get to hear his thoughts on politics on TV and radio, and read his comments on this website. That’s my two-sentence upbeat conclusion about the retirement of Stephen J. Farnsworth from the University of Mary Washington after three decades in higher education.”  Read the column in the Fredericksburg Free Press.    The post Farnsworth Featured in Column by Fredericksburg Free Press appeared first on EagleEye.

Farnsworth Featured by The Guardian, ABC, MSN & More

Farnsworth Featured by The Guardian, ABC, MSN & More Professor Emeritus of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth was featured by The Guardian, ABC News, Spectrum News and other outlets in features about late night programming. Farnsworth is a co-author of Late Night With Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency and other books on politics. He was quoted by Spectrum News, saying, "One of the rules of life is not to mess with success, but this is exactly what CBS is doing with late night.” Learn more from Spectrum News. The post Farnsworth Featured by The Guardian, ABC, MSN & More appeared first on EagleEye.

Farnsworth Featured by C-SPAN, Newsweek & More

Farnsworth Featured by C-SPAN, Newsweek & More Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth, who also directs UMW's Center for Leadership and Media Studies, was featured by C-SPAN in an piece titled, "Stephen Farnsworth on Virginia's Redistricting Referendum." In the piece, Farnsworth said, "What happens in Virginia may very well shape the outcome for the mid-term elections for Congress and the country as a whole.” Learn more from C-SPAN. In addition to C-SPAN, Farnsworth shared his political expertise with a number of other media outlets, including WUSA, Newsweek, Almanac of American Politics and more. Recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:   Trump’s Approval Rating Hampering 6 Republican Incumbents: GOP Polls (Newsweek) Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told Newsweek on Wednesday that Trump’s approval ratings, if not soon reversed, “are likely to be toxic for Republicans in swing districts.” Read more in Newsweek. Multiple lawsuits challenge Virginia’s redistricting election. Here’s where each case stands. (Virginian Pilot) “Right now, voters don’t know what district they’re in, and candidates don’t know what district they’re going to run in,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at University of Mary Washington. “Fortunately, the Virginia Supreme Court tends to move a lot faster than the U.S. Supreme Court, but time is clearly of the essence right now.” Read more in the Virginian Pilot. Virginia judge blocks redistricting referendum (DC News Now) “Well, it always seemed like this was going to be a pretty close contest,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more in DC News Now. Trump’s disdain for wind projects creates a political storm for Republicans in coastal Virginia (NBC Washington) Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, said front-line Republicans have been put in a difficult position. “Kiggans is not the only Republican being squeezed” as Trump focuses on his own priorities and the country faces economic headwinds exacerbated by the war with Iran, he said. Although few want to risk upsetting the president, Farnsworth said, “in coastal Virginia politics, there’s not much upside to opposing wind.” Read more in NBC Washington. Virginia Redistricting Battle Now Goes to the Courts (RTVI News US) “The legal question here is not whether the voting outcome was legitimate — it was — but rather whether the referendum question was properly put before the voters in the first place,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. Learn more from RTVI News US. 2 school board members are running for County Council. Will their positions haunt or help? (Baltimore Banner) “Serving on a school board is a double-edged sword, particularly in a place like Montgomery County, where there is a lot of scrutiny,” said University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen J. Farnsworth. Learn more in the Baltimore Banner. Virginia redistricting win sparks jubilation, fierce criticism (WUSA; Yahoo.com) Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, noted that the results highlight a state still deeply polarized by the influence of the Trump era. He also pointed to a missed opportunity for the Republican opposition. Read more in WUSA. Trump’s Redistricting Push Backfires as Virginia Voters Rebuke GOP (Newsweek) Mid-decade redistricting has accomplished “nothing” for Trump, Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told Newsweek on Wednesday. “President Trump has lost another election in Virginia, and this one may cost Republicans their House majority this fall,” he said. Read more in Newsweek.

Farnsworth Lectures on New Governor’s First Session; Featured by CNN, USA Today & More

Farnsworth Lectures on New Governor’s First Session; Featured by CNN, USA Today & More Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth, who also directs the Center for Leadership and Media Studies,  recently presented a lecture in Glen Allen at the Annual Conference of the American Association of University Women of Virginia. The lecture was titled, "The Changing Nature of Virginia Politics: Reviewing the Pivotal 2025 Election and the First Session of Virginia’s First Madam Governor.”   Farnsworth was a popular expert with the media recently, discussing politics with a number of regional and national outlets, including CNN, USA Today, WUSA 9, WJLA, NBC 4 News, Richmond Magazine and others. Media mentions for Farnsworth include: Virginia voters to decide on redistricting amendment potentially shifting House balance (WUSA 9; Yahoo.com) Political science expert Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of University of Mary Washington said based on polling, it’ still too close to tell which side will win. “Polling shows a margin of a few points and when we’re looking at an election like this in Virginia, so much will come down whether or not people can get their supporters out to participate,” said Farnsworth. Learn more from WUSA 9. Virginia voters to vote on measure that could determine control of Congress (WJLA) “It seems to me that a strong turnout effort on election day can give either side a win,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “The big challenge for both the yes and the no side is to get people who will support them if they turn out to actually do soI think anybody who is not strongly committed one side or the other is likely to stay home. Read more in WJLA. Virginians head to polls to decide fate of proposed new congressional districts (WTOP) “The pro messaging is very much, ‘Trump started this and Virginia is going to finish it,’” Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told WTOP. Read more in WTOP. Virginia Election Day: Voters Head to the Polls (USA Today) “This isn’t just about lines on a map—it’s about who gets heard in Washington,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, political analyst and professor at the University of Mary Washington, whose insights have been featured in local coverage of the vote. “When district lines are drawn with partisan intent, communities can be split apart or packed together in ways that dilute their voice. Voters demand to understand what’s at stake beyond the ballot box.” Read more in USA Today. FROM THE EDITOR: Election Day Dawns on Democracy’s Rusting Hinges (FXBG Advance) Steven Farnsworth, a professor or political science at the University of Mary Washington, told the Advance that congressional midterms typically realize “an 18-seat swing in the House and a three- or four-seat swing in the Senate.” Read more in FXBG Advance. Lying Liars, And Open Scumbaggery In Virginia (Daily Kos) “This is an extraordinary amount of money, but it’s not a surprise because the stakes are so high. This could very likely determine which party controls the next Congress,” said Steve Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in Daily Kos. What to expect in Virginia’s special election on redistricting (NBC 4 News) “So, what we know from the polling is that the overall feelings of this amendment are pretty close to fifty fifty right now,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Learn more from NBC 4 News. Yes or No? Virginia’s redistricting fight goes down to the wire (Richmond Magazine) Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, says the outcome now hinges on how many people show up to vote on Tuesday. “Early voting has been comparable to the early voting for the governor’s race last November, but there may be a significant drop-off for Election Day voting between November of last year and April this year,” Farnsworth says. “Candidates often bring more voters to the polls than policy topics do.” Read more in Richmond Magazine. Why some Virginia voters find redistricting ballot question confusing (WTOP) Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said it’s generally easier for voters to focus on a particular candidate than a ballot issue, making the issue confusing for some voters. “Do you like this candidate? Do you dislike this candidate? Rather than constitutional issues,” Farnsworth said. Learn more from WTOP. Virginia redistricting referendum could have national implications (WTOP) “In many ways, what happens in Virginia, may very well be the deciding factor in terms of which party controls Congress next year,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “If the amendment passes, that’s a significant advantage for Democrats going into those November 2026 midterms. Learn more from WTOP. Virginia’s redistricting vote is nearing a conclusion. How is it shaping up? (Almanac of American Politics) “The ‘yes’ side has raised far more money and is spending a lot on TV ads,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, a University of Mary Washington political scientist. “The ‘no’ side hasn’t had as much money, and as a result has focused on social media and a few public events.” Read more in the Almanac of American Politics. Redistricting might not be solution Virginia voters really need, educators say (Henrico Citizen; Prince William Times) Campaigns on both sides are spending a lot of money on advertising, according to Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Prince William Times or Henrico Citizen. Spanberger: Amendments, vetoes are part of the job as Virginia’s governor (The Free Lance-Star) “The governor’s amendments have been laser-focused on building up her image as a moderate Democrat,” and “suggest Democrats in the legislature are going too far and too fast,” said Steve Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in The Free Lance-Star. How a trash-talking, meme-posting great grandmother pulled Virginia into a fight that could define the midterms (CNN) Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said Virginia powerbrokers understand that if “you want something out of the legislature, figure out a way to get Sen. Lucas on board.”

Farnsworth Shares Political Expertise with CTV News, NBC News & More

Farnsworth Shares Political Expertise with CTV News, NBC News & More Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was featured by CTV News Canada  in a piece titled "Trump Reiterates Threats if Iran Doesn't Reach Deal." In the segment, Farnsworth said "I think this is a serious threat. It is quite clear that President Trump is willing to that President Trump is willing to use a lot of military resources to try to secure an outcome that he wants in Iran. All indications are there are some negotiations going on, but we will have to see whether or not these countries which have been so far apart for decades can reach any kind of resolution in the next 24 hours.” View the segment on CTV News. Other media mentions for Farnsworth include: President’s Speech about Iran War (KNX Radio Los Angeles) “Well, I think a lot depends on what comes next. The nature of war is that it is a very uncertain dynamics and the President has made it clear that he thinks it is going to be another couple of weeks but we will see if that turns out to be the case,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Strong early voting turnout for Virginia redistricting referendum (NBC Washington) “If you are a ‘yes’ vote on the amendment, talking about President Trump is probably your most effective strategy, and it’s a particularly effective strategy right now given all the unpopularity of some of the things going on in the larger political environment,” he said. Learn more from NBC Washington.