“The decision is going to be made by the U.S. Supreme Court about whether or not they are going to be new lines in Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington.
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, said, “The idea of mandatory retirement in your 50s for a judge seems ridiculous. “Democrats wisely abandoned this idea almost immediately,” Farnsworth added. “That would strike most people as pretty unreasonable, and Democrats would pay a high price if they tried to employ this approach.”
“It does seem that both the Iranians and the Americans are convinced that time is on their side,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “Both sides are confident the other side will back down first.”
“This is very bad news for Democrats and good news for Republicans,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington.
The ruling is a “significant setback” for Democrats, Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told Newsweek. “The hope for the Democrats had been that Virginia could counter Republican gains in Ohio, Missouri and North Carolina and now that’s not going to happen,” he said. “Democrats are still probably likely to pick up one or two seats with the old map but nowhere near the net gain of four with the new lines.”
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. 