Patrick Flavin, Ph.D. 
Professor, Political Science | Baylor University
Waco, TX, UNITED STATES
Dr. Flavin focuses on political inequality, the impact of politics and public policies on citizens’ quality of life, and state politics.
Spotlight
Media
Publications:
Documents:
Videos:
Audio/Podcasts:
Biography
Dr. Flavin’s research and teaching interests include political inequality, the impact of politics and public policies on citizens’ quality of life, U.S. state politics, political behavior, and research methods. His research has been published in the American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, British Journal of Political Science, Political Research Quarterly, American Politics Research, State Politics & Policy Quarterly, Electoral Studies, and other journals.
Industry Expertise (1)
Education/Learning
Areas of Expertise (10)
Politics
Inequality
State Politics
Teachers' Unions and Politics
Quality of Life
Political Behavior
Public Opinion
Polling
Elections
Public Policy
Education (3)
University of Notre Dame: Ph.D.
University of Notre Dame: M.A.
University of St. Thomas: B.A.
Links (1)
Media Appearances (24)
Property taxes could decrease if amendments pass
KWTX-TV online
2022-04-26
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed about two proposed state constitutional amendments, one that would decrease property taxes for elderly and disabled Texans while the other would increase the homestead exemption.
Bush Family Legacy Is at Stake in Texas Attorney General Race
Bloomberg online
2022-03-03
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science, was interviewed for this article about the Bush family’s Texas dynasty.
Beto O'Rourke promises marijuana legalization after winning governor nomination
KCEN-TV online
2022-03-02
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was interviewed regarding the potential of marijuana decriminalization and its impact as an election issue.
Texas Primary Sets Stage for Abbott-O’Rourke Race, AG Runoffs
The Well News online
2022-03-02
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was quoted in this article about high-profile races in the Texas primaries.
Early voting for primary election ends, election day Tuesday
KXXV-TV online
2022-02-28
VIDEO: Political science professor Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., was interviewed regarding the first Election Day of 2022.
Experts say less than 20 percent of voters turn out for Texas Primary Elections
KXXV-TV online
2022-02-21
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science, explains how elections with lower voter turnout impact candidates.
Texas Early Voting Starts Today
KXXV-TV online
2022-02-14
VIDEO: Political science professor Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., provides insight about the Texas primaries and what they mean for the November elections. Flavin also was interviewed about early voting on KCEN-TV and FOX44.
Killeen City Council proposes pay raises for its members
KXXV-TV online
2022-01-13
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science, is interviewed for this story on a potential pay raise for Killeen’s City Council.
Voters registration deadline for November election is next week
KXXV-TV online
2021-09-28
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, is quoted in this article on the upcoming election that involves voting on constitutional amendments.
Texas lawmakers to redraw district maps based on latest Census data
KXXV-TV online
2021-09-21
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, is quoted in this article regarding a proposed redistricting map for Bell County.
Supporters push to get #IAmVanessaGuillenAct passed with NDAA
KXXV-TV online
2021-09-17
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, is quoted in this article addressing support of the #IAmVanessaGuillenAct.
Local experts weigh in on Texas Democrats leaving for D.C.
KXXV-TV online
2021-07-13
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at Baylor, is quoted in this story about Texas Democratic lawmakers walking out on a controversial voting bill.
Special session begins tomorrow, election integrity bill in the spotlight
KXXV-TV online
2021-07-07
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science at Baylor, is interviewed about the issues facing the Texas Legislature as it begins a Special Session.
2020 presidential election is far from the first contested election in U.S. history
KXXV-TV online
2021-01-16
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, discusses how the pandemic, a crippling economy and social unrest set the stage for what he views as the most divisive election in American history.
Local political experts expect more frequent impeachments in the future
KWKT-TV tv
2021-01-13
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, discusses the differences between and impact of former President Trump’s two impeachments.
Local representatives react to Capitol Hill riots
KWKT-TV tv
2021-01-06
VIDEO: Patrick J. Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, is interviewed for this story about reaction to the Capitol Hill riots.
Latinos expected to be the nation's largest ethnic minority to vote in Presidential Election
ABC 25 Central Texas online
2020-10-13
For the first time, a record 32 million Latinos are projected to be eligible to vote in the 2020 United States Presidential Election. Baylor political science professor Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., is quoted in this article on the historic voter turnout of Hispanic Americans and the outlook on voting in the Hispanic community.
Can a Progressive Win in a Republican Texas District?
The American Prospect online
2020-09-03
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., professor of political science, is quoted in this article about Democrat Julie Oliver and her campaign in Texas’s 25th Congressional District which primarily leans Republican.
Baylor University associate professor talks about Biden's speech, previews RNC
Fox 7 Austin tv
2020-08-21
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, shares his insight on Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's acceptance and what to expect from the Republican National Convention.
Baylor political science professor says impeachment proceedings before an election year is 'unprecedented'
KXXV-TV (Waco, Killeen, Temple/ABC) tv
2019-11-13
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, discusses the effects an impeachment inquiry may have on presidential approval ratings and the division between political parties.
Local GOP taking note of higher Democratic vote tally
Waco Tribune-Herald print
2018-11-07
Patrick J. Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, is quoted in this article about competitive local races in McLennan County.
Baylor professor speaks on election results
KWKT-TV (Waco, Temple, Killeen/FOX) tv
2018-11-06
VIDEO: Patrick J. Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, served as guest elections analyst Tuesday on FOX44 in Waco, providing insight into results from local and state elections.
Citizens react to executive order to end birthright citizenship for children of non U.S. citizens
KXXV-TV (Waco, Temple, Killeen/ABC) tv
2018-10-30
VIDEO: Pat Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, was interviewed for this story addressing how a presidential executive order could unilaterally change the doctrine of birthright citizenship. Flavin’s research and teaching interests include political inequality, the impact of politics and public policies on citizens’ quality of life, U.S. state politics and political behavior
Flores supports school violence prevention measures, bolstered background checks
Waco Tribune-Herald print
2018-03-18
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., associate professor of political science in Baylor’s College of Arts & Sciences, is quoted in this article about legislative responses following a mass school shooting in Florida. Flavin said he does not see a likely path to an outright ban of military-style weapons in the United States, although a vocal 20 to 30 percent of people, along with constitutional challenges, would hold it up. “Intense interest of a minority can often win out over the displaced or dispersed interest of a majority,” Flavin said.
Articles (3)
Income Inequality and Policy Representation in the American States
American Politics Research2011 Government representation of public opinion is a central component of democracy. Previous studies have documented a robust congruence between aggregated public opinion and public policies in the American states. However, an equally important question for evaluating the quality of democracy is “Who does government respond to when formulating public policies?”...
Life Satisfaction and Political Participation: Evidence from the United States
Journal of Happiness Studies2011 Are people who are more satisfied with their lives more likely to participate in politics? Although the literature on political participation in the United States is one of the most theoretically and methodologically developed in political science, little research has sought to incorporate subjective life satisfaction into models of political participation. Instead, life satisfaction has been studied nearly exclusively as a dependent variable...
Racial Differences in Information, Expectations, and Accountability
The Journal of Politics2007 Citizens contribute to the process of democratic accountability by acquiring information about their elected officials' behavior, comparing this information to their expectations regarding substantive representation, and voting in elections based on the result of this comparison. However, citizens possess varying levels of information about, and different expectations of, Representatives' voting behavior. This raises the possibility that some citizens are more likely to hold their Members of Congress (MCs) accountable than others...
