Virginia primaries: Why this year’s race holds national implications (Courthouse News Service)
13 candidates vie for Virginia’s most competitive congressional district (WVTF)
Biden Signs Order Shutting Down Mexico Border Asylum Requests (CTV News)
Farnsworth Lectures on Political Humor in Germany
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor in U.S. Presidential Elections,” at Europa University Viadrina, in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. The talk, sponsored jointly by Fulbright Poland and Fulbright Germany, was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored book, Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving at the University of Warsaw in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.
In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
Jury begins deliberations in Trump Trial (CTV News)
“Well, there is really no way of knowing how long this could go,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
The Kennedy Who Wants to Dynamite the Presidential Campaign (The Sunday Tribune, Paris)
“Almost all of the voters fear the other camp enough they will avoid voting for a third party candidate to make sure that the major party candidate that they like the least does not win,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientists at the University of Mary Washington.
Closing arguments begin today in Trump’s trial (CTV News)
“This is a time when the two sides really have to take weeks of evidence and figure our a way to distill it in a way that the jury can appreciate and focus on the things that that side wants,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Hogan makes abortion-rights stand in Senate race (WTOP)
“Gov. Hogan had to make an ad like this. In pro-choice Maryland, being a Republican in a time when Roe vs. Wade has been overturned is very difficult in a statewide election,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political-science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
https://wtop.com/maryland-election/2024/05/hogan-makes-pro-choice-stand-in-senate-race/
Both sides rest in Donald Trump hush money trial (CTV News)
Well, this really wasn’t a surprise to anyone. Donald Trump always says he is going to do something,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Prince William board signals support for 400-unit housing development in mid-county environmental zone (Inside NOVA)
“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.
Youngkin Vetoes Measures to Remove Tax Breaks for Confederate Heritage Group (The New York Times)
The governor has consistently worked in a direction that would endear him to the Republican base,” Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said in April, after the assembly passed the bills. He added that because of political and cultural shifts in Virginia in recent years, he expected the tax exemptions to be revoked the next time a Democrat becomes governor.
Young vetoes measures to eliminate tax incentives for Confederate heritage group (The nor’wester)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, said after the Assembly passed the bills in April, “the governor continues to work toward getting him to the Republican base. Because of the political and cultural changes that have occurred in Virginia in recent years, the next time a Democrat becomes governor, the tax breaks will be repealed.” He expected it to be done.
Farnsworth Lectures on Entertainment Media and Politics
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs Stephen Farnsworth
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Entertainment Media and Politics: Late-Night Political Humor and the American Presidency,” at the American Studies Center of the University of Warsaw in Poland. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored book, Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.
In addition, recent media mentions for Dr. Farnsworth include:
After Spanberger: 7th District Dems run local race in national spotlight (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“It’s very clear the Republicans don’t want to run against Vindman,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
In 7th District primary, Republicans debate party’s future (Richmond Times Dispatch; The Daily Progress)
“Six months ago, I might have expected Anderson to be nominated in a walk,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “Increasingly, the Republican primary is showing up as a referendum on what the future of the Republican Party should be. Should it be Speaker Mike Johnson or Bob Good or Rand Paul?”
Campaign contributions reveal Fauquier’s north-south divide (Fauquier Times)
“Increasingly, it may make sense to think of Fauquier as a county with a much redder south and a more purple north,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington.
New poll shows tight presidential race in Virginia (Potomac Local)
“The main thing to gather from this survey is that Virginia remains a far more purple state than many national political observers seem to think. The fact that this poll is well within the margin of error demonstrates that both political parties would be wise to focus on Virginia in 2024, as they did in several previous election cycles – but not in 2020,” said Professor of Political Science and International Affairs & Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth.
Late Night Goes Soft on Biden (Politico)
According to Stephen Farnsworth, the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of Late Night with Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency, there was another reason for the shift in attitude: ratings.
Trump Back In New York Court (CTV News)
“Judging from the judge’s comments this morning, it does seem as if there is going to be another rounds of sanctions,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
State Sen. Hashmi of Chesterfield enters 2025 lieutenant governor’s race (Virginia Dogwood)
“Sen. Hashmi enters the race as a serious candidate for LG,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “She has an effective track record as a legislator in Richmond. Her focus on health concerns provides a specific appeal to the many Democratic primary voters concerned about the affordability and availability of health care.”
State Sen. Hashmi of Chesterfield enters 2025 lieutenant governor’s race (Virginia Dogwood)
Trump Back In New York Court (CTV News)
Late Night Goes Soft on Biden (Politico)
Farnsworth Presents Keynote Lecture on Disinformation and Political Humor at Conference in Poland
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a keynote lecture, “Battling Disinformation with Political Humor,” at the Navigating the Digital World of Tomorrow Conference, which was sponsored by the Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored books, Producing News in a Time of Disinformation: Information Evaluation Strategies for Journalists and News Consumers and Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency. Dr. Farnsworth is serving in Poland as a Spring 2024 Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.
In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:
What Impact will Pecker’s Testimony have? (CTV News)
“This is something that is going to be going on for several weeks, and this will be one of the most uncomfortable moments of Donald Trump’s life, this week and the next week and the weeks beyond,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Vindman has huge fundraising lead in 7th District race (Prince William Times)
“A lot of Virginia Democrats like Vindman because he has a national security background that can connect with the prominent military presence in the district,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “His huge fundraising advantage creates a very difficult environment for other Democrats in the race.”
Day 5 of Trump’s Trial Concludes (CTV News)
“The first days of these trials are always about giving the jury a road map for how to proceed. I think one of the key things that the prosecution has to focus on is the idea that this is not primarily about hush money. This is about trying to distort what the public knew in advance about the election of 2016,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2908973
ANALYSIS: District 7 Has Become Pricey (FXBG Advance)
“When the Seventh was largely a suburban Richmond district (before the 2020 Census redistricting),” says Mary Washington University professor Stephen Farnsworth, “it was seen as safely Republican, at least until Abigail Spanberger demonstrated a Democratic candidate could win there.” “The Seventh District,” says Farnsworth, “has become one of the most expensive districts in the nation for two reasons: it is the most competitive congressional district in the very expensive Washington television market, and the district’s proximity to DC means that candidates have no problem raising a lot of money from the wealthy donors. Both parties want the bragging rights that come from winning this high-profile district.”
Thirteen candidates are running in the Democratic primary in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District (Ballotpedia News)
According to University of Mary Washington professor Stephen J. Farnsworth, “Virginia 10 is a more competitive district than most and, as such, it represents a rare opportunity for both parties to challenge for a pivotal House seat in a pivotal state.”
Democratic shakeup in Virginia primaries for governor, lieutenant governor (Virginia Dogwood)
Stoney’s exit leaves US Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) without a challenger in the Democratic primary to become the nominee in the governor’s race next year. The Democrats will hold their primary sometime in June 2025 and Spanberger, a prolific fundraiser, is likely to have a relatively easy path to the nomination, Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said in an interview. “Spanberger will have a much clearer path,” Farnsworth said, adding the strength of her position will likely discourage others from jumping in the race.
Biden clings to the economy: The rebound in the polls ahead of his clash with Trump (La Tercera, Chile)
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth, professor at the University of Mary Washington, points to the abortion situation in the United States as a key factor for Biden’s improved standing in recent polls. “Voters are beginning to see that Trump and the justices he put on the Supreme Court are responsible for the state-by-state chaos over abortion laws.”
https://www.latercera.com/la-tercera-domingo/noticia/biden-se-aferra-a-la-economia-el-repunte-en-los-sondeos-de-cara-a-su-choque-con-trump/XN52EP7FNNHAZOAUDESOM6DQWE/
Biden clings to support among voters under 30: Harvard Youth poll (Courthouse News)
For Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, young women may be more strongly motivated to vote for Biden because of Trump’s anti-abortion stance. “The chaos in many states regarding abortion and the fear that there may be a national ban if Trump becomes president again is a key issue that motivates women to turn away from Trump and other Republican candidates,” Farnsworth said. “Even Republicans are starting to see the issue as a political loser for the GOP and are trying to minimize the damage.”