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/