“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. “This new statewide survey shows that Virginia’s voters are basically evenly divided as they approach the upcoming Virginia legislative elections.”
Virginians divided over 2023 legislative elections in statewide survey (WFVA News Talk 1230)
University of Mary Washington political science professor notes: "Virginia is back to a purple state after flirting with a period of being blue, with 42-percent of the likely voters in this survey wanting a Republican majority legislature and 42-percent wanting Democrats in control."
University of Mary Washington poll shows Virginia legislative elections 50-50 (WINA)
“This survey shows that those combative voices at school board meetings are not representative of public opinion across the Commonwealth regarding public education,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “Overall, Virginians remain quite positive about the performance of their schools, both regarding education generally and providing a safe learning environment.”
“Virginia has rapidly returned to its purple state status,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at UMW and the Center’s director, in a press release issued by the university about the survey results. The statewide survey of 1,000 Virginia residents, including 833 registered voters and 771 likely voters, was conducted for UMW by Research America Inc. between Sept. 5 and Sept. 11.
UMW poll shows Virginia “has rapidly returned to purple state status” (The Free Lance-Star)
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.
"Republicans in Congress are making it harder for Republicans in Virginia to win," said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at University of Mary Washington. "Taking away someone's paycheck, even temporarily, is a major source of anxiety."
