Patrick Flavin, Ph.D.
Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science, Interim Chair of 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.
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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.
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 (41)
Texas House District 56's Special Race could set new precedent for retiring representatives
KWBU-FM (NPR/Waco) online
2024-10-20
Pat Flavin, Ph.D., interim chair and The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, was interviewed for this story about the special election for Texas House District 56. Whoever wins the special election on Nov. 5 will start a term that ends nine weeks later.
County Commissioner Precinct 2 up for grabs in November Election
KWBU-FM (NPR/Waco) online
2024-10-11
AUDIO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., interim chair of political science and The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, was interviewed for this story about the race for Precinct 2 McLennan County Commissioner.
Congressman Pete Sessions wants to be House speaker. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the vote.
Texas Newsroom (NPR) online
2023-10-24
Baylor political science professor Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., was interviewed for this story about Congressman Pete Sessions, R-Waco, who is one of nine Republicans vying to secure the nomination as Speaker of the House.
Trump Doubles Down on Explosive, Insult-laden Rhetoric During Rally in Waco
Reporting Texas online
2023-03-26
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, is quoted regarding former President Trump’s recent political rally in Waco.
Hundreds gather for Donald Trump rally at Waco airport
Scripps News online
2023-03-25
VIDEO: Baylor political scientist Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., was interviewed for this story about Donald Trump’s rally in Waco, expecting it to be “grievance politics and red meat issues to excite the base. He’s not coming in Waco to convince anyone who’s on the fence about him.”
Trump uses arrest threat to reclaim his spot as the front-runner in Texas
Houston Chronicle online
2023-03-25
Baylor political scientist Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., is quoted in this article about why former president Donald Trump held his first rally of his reelection campaign in Waco in Central Texas.
Plans in place, bills paid for Trump rally in Waco
Waco Tribune-Herald online
2023-03-24
Pat Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, was interviewed for this article on an upcoming Trump political rally in Waco and why the Branch Davidian scenario might appeal to the former president.
Mixed reaction as former President Trump plans first 2024 campaign stop in Waco
KXXV-TV (ABC/Waco) online
2023-03-22
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, is quoted regarding the recently political rally in Waco.
Baylor political expert says Trump will most likely be indicted
KWKT-TV (FOX/Waco) online
2023-03-21
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, is quoted regarding possible charges against former president Donald Trump.
Why Central Texas? | Donald Trump to hold first 2024 presidential campaign rally in Waco
KCEN-TV (NBC/Waco) online
2023-03-20
VIDEO: Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, is quoted regarding an upcoming political rally in Waco and why it was chosen.
Power struggles between state and local officials escalate in Texas — and across the nation
KERA-FM online
2023-02-21
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, is quoted in this article about how a case dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic about who has the power to require masks may determine to what extent conservative officials across Texas can dictate the health, environmental and law enforcement policies for cities, counties and school districts.
UH adopts new tenure policy as Texas Legislature braces for fight led by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
Houston Chronicle online
2023-02-02
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, is quoted in this article about a Texas legislative session expected to include a push by the lieutenant governor to end tenure status for new hires at all Texas public universities.
Texas lawmakers to revisit redistricting, but experts predict no significant changes
CNHI News
2023-01-19
The Texas Senate will take up redistricting once again next week, but experts said they believe it will result in no change. The Senate will hold four days of public testimony on the 2021 lines, but Pat Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, said he does not expect “any substantive changes to come out of those.”
The 88th Texas Legislative session begins with a $33-billion surplus
KCEN-TV online
2023-01-10
VIDEO: As Texas lawmakers returned to work for the 88th Legislative session, Baylor political science professor Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., expects great division on major topics such as gun and border patrol.
What a local expert is expecting from the 88th Texas legislative session
KCEN-TV online
2023-01-10
VIDEO: As Texas lawmakers face a wide variety of issues from gun control to ERCOT regulations to LGBTQ+ rights, Baylor political science professor Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., said while those topics are important, the first discussion will be about how Texas officials plan to use the state’s $33 billion surplus.
Congressman Pete Sessions weighs in on House of Representatives Speaker stalemate
KCEN-TV online
2023-01-04
VIDEO: Patrick J. Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, was interviewed for this story about the stalemate over the selection of the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
9.6 million Texas registered voters did not cast ballots. Here's how many Central Texans did.
KCEN-TV online
2022-11-09
VIDEO: Patrick J. Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, was interviewed for this story about the lack of registered voters casting their ballots in the 2022 election.
How redistricting could shape Texas elections this year
KXXV-TV online
2022-11-07
VIDEO: Patrick J. Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, was interviewed for this Election Day story about newly redrawn districts for state and national races, a process that typically makes races less competitive across the board.
College voters held back by Texas election law, lack of on-campus polling sites
Texas Tribune online
2022-10-28
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, is quoted in this article about the lack of on-campus voting sites in Texas coming after a surge in young-voter turnout in recent years — though it still lags participation rates of other age groups.
Texas A&M’s early-voting location was popular during general elections before it was moved off campus
The Texas Tribune online
2022-10-04
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science at Baylor, is quoted in this article about an early voting site on the Texas A&M campus that was removed an early-voting location.
Trump Couldn’t Have Done What He Did Without States Leading the Way
The New York Times online
2022-09-07
This essay about consequences of partisan control of state governments cites a paper by authors Gregory Shufeldt of the University of Indianapolis and Baylor political scientist Patrick Flavin, who contend the single most important factor in voters’ perception of the level of democracy in their state is whether or not their own party is in control.
Waco police to seek violence interrupters
Waco Tribune-Herald online
2022-06-10
Patrick Flavin, Ph.D., The Bob Bullock Professor of Political Science, provides perspective on “violence interrupters,” who would aim to intervene before violent situations arise. The Waco Police Department will coordinate with organizations to seek out “violence interrupters” among the community, aiming to prevent situations from escalating to violence.
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.
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...
