"I don't think inconsistency or false information hurt candidates the way dishonesty or inconsistencies might have hurt them in the past," said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at University of Mary Washington. "In these highly partisan times, it seems like most voters will forgive any shortcomings on their side and view everything done by the other side as an abomination.''
“Virginia elections are often close, and the look ahead to next year suggests more of the same in the campaign for governor,” said Stephen J. Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “The big challenge for these potential candidates is becoming better known across the commonwealth.”
Join us online for the first Mary Talk of the season!
Stephen Farnsworth, Ph.D. is a professor of political science and the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at UMW. In this Mary Talk, Dr. Farnsworth will discuss how political humor has become an increasingly important part of U.S. political communication, particularly regarding presidents and presidential elections. Research shows that consumption of late-night comedy in the wake of the 2020 election led to decreases in viewers’ levels of cynicism and political negativity. And increasingly, political humor provides an important way to challenge the disinformation present in much of our contemporary political discourse.
Wednesday, September 25
7:30-8:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Online (via Zoom)
Register to watch the Talk. You will receive a link to the streaming video, which can be watched live or at a later time. You also will have the opportunity to submit questions.
“A write-in campaign benefiting a defeated GOP primary candidate is certainly part of a best-case scenario for a Democratic candidate in District 5,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.
Amid internal GOP feud in the 5th District, Democrat Gloria Witt sees her chance (Virginia Mercury)
But any word in the debate about federal employees could have a big impact on Republican claims that Virginia is in play, University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said in an email. “Trump may need to address more specifically concerns that a Trump election would mean the wholesale firing of federal employees,” Farnsworth said.
Virginia analysts see high stakes seen in Trump-Harris debate (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 
"Well, it is clear that the key question for the Harris campaign is basically a question of definition, said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and the author of Presidential Communication and Character.
Candidates Square Off in Philadelphia Tomorrow (CTV News Canada) 