Stephen Farnsworth 
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs | University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA, UNITED STATES
Dr. Farnsworth has spent decades researching how media and politics intersect. Check out his website at stephenfarnsworth.net.
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Biography
Dr. Farnsworth is a sought-after political commentator on subjects ranging from presidential politics to the local Virginia congressional races. He has been widely featured in national media, including The Washington Post, Reuters, The Chicago Tribune and MSNBC.
He is author or co-author of seven books on presidential communication. His work, "Presidential Communication and Character: White House News Management from Clinton and Cable to Twitter and Trump," examines how the last four U.S. presidents sell themselves and their policies in an ever-expanding and sometimes precarious media environment.
Among his other books are "The Global President;" "Spinner in Chief: How Presidents Sell Their Policies and Themselves;" "The Nightly News Nightmare: Media Coverage of U.S. Presidential Elections, 1988-2008;" "The Mediated Presidency: Television News and Presidential Governance;" "Political Support in a Frustrated America;" and "Late Night With Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency."
A professor at University of Mary Washington for nearly two decades, he established the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. He is recipient of the 2017 Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV), and was recognized for his service to the national political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha. The University has bestowed four teaching honors, including the Alumni Association Outstanding Young Faculty Member Award, the Mary W. Pinschmidt Teaching Award, the Richard Palmieri Outstanding Professor Award and the Waple Research Professorship Award.
Areas of Expertise (7)
American Elections
American Government
The American Presidency
Internet Politics
Mass Media and Politics
Virginia Government and Politics
Journalism
Accomplishments (10)
Waple Research Professorship (professional)
2018-03-31
Awarded for outstanding research in political science.
Farnsworth Receives Outstanding Faculty Award (professional)
2017-01-04
Stephen J. Farnsworth, University of Mary Washington professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies, has received the prestigious 2017 Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award by the State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV).
Farnsworth Receives National Political Science Association Award (professional)
2016-09-13
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the UMW Center for Leadership and Media Studies, was recognized for his dedication and service to Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, at the American Political Science Association Conference in September 2016.
Recipient, Distinguished Communicator Award (professional)
2016-04-10
Awarded by the Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Best Conference Paper Award in Political Communication (professional)
2011-04-01
Eastern Communication Association
Best Conference Paper Award in Political Communication (professional)
2009-04-01
Southern States Communication Association
J. William Fulbright Research Chair in Public Policy (professional)
2006-01-01
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Outstanding Young Faculty Member Award (professional)
2001-01-01
Awarded by the Alumni Association of Mary Washington College.
Mary W. Pinschmidt Teaching Award (professional)
1999-01-01
Presented by the graduating class to the faculty member "who had the greatest impact on their lives" at Mary Washington College.
Richard Palmieri Outstanding Professor Award (professional)
1999-01-01
Presented by Mortar Board honor and service society in recognition of exceptional teaching and service to Mary Washington College.
Education (4)
Georgetown University: Ph.D., American Government
Georgetown University: M.A., American Government
University of Missouri: B.A. (Honors), History
Dartmouth College: B.A. (Honors), American Government
Affiliations (3)
- Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society
- Fredericksburg Regional Board of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership at the University of Virginia : Member
- Former Chair, Political Communication Section of American Political Science Association. 2012-2014
Media Appearances (9)
Commonwealth's attorney candidates spar over rising crime, partnering with police, criminal justice reform
Prince William Times online
2023-08-28
The candidates, both 52, answered a series of questions from moderator Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies.
Trump to Surrender in Georgia Tonight
CTV News online
2023-08-25
"This is absolutely the biggest legal threat that the former President faces," said Stephen Farnsworth.
Republican Presidential Candidates, Minus Trump, Spar Sharply
Voice of America; Globe World News Echo online
2023-08-24
"This is his moment," Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said of DeSantis.
Youngkin retools message for new elections with ‘Parents Matter’ talks
The Washington Post; Washington Dailies online
2023-08-23
Youngkin “is wise to continue to talk about the parental agenda,” University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said. “It allows him to present himself as a conservative …[while demonstrating that] the current version of the ‘parents matter’ agenda is more inclusive than the previous version.”
Trump Likely to Upstage Opponents Even if Absent from Debate
Voice of America; West Observer online
2023-08-23
"It creates a very, very difficult environment for the other Republicans, because they have their own ideas for what they want to do with respect to key issues like the economy or Ukraine or immigration. But that doesn't mean they'll have much of a chance to talk about it. They'll be asked about Donald Trump," predicts Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
Other states are having an impact on Virginia elections
WVTF online
2023-08-11
Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says electric cars and pork policy are both a form of tribal politics. "The campaign trail so far looks like an out-of-state bogeyman for both sides," Farnsworth says. "The Republicans are saying don't California Virginia, and the Democrats increasingly seem to be saying don't Florida Virginia."
Authenticity, Charisma Count for US Presidential Candidates
Voice of America News online
2023-08-11
By shaking hands, gesturing and repeating signature lines, presidential candidates amplify their messages to the wider world, according to Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington.
How a long-standing labor law in Virginia could impact elections this year
WVTF online
2023-08-11
Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says this might have some traction with voters. "It may be a very effective issue in those cases where you can really draw attention to what candidates have said. Virginia has a virulent, aggressive anti-union history," Farnsworth says. "And it's not clear to me that Virginia has changed as much as some of these Democrats supporting an end to Right to Work wish Virginia has changed."
Abortion is likely to be a top issue on the campaign trail this fal
WVTF online
2023-08-09
Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says Republicans are gambling with this line of attack. "There are few things more risky in politics than choosing to talk about an issue that is a loser for your side," Farnsworth says. "Polls have consistently shown that Democrats have the advantage on the abortion question, and that advantage has gotten bigger in the wake of the decision by the Supreme Court to reverse Roe versus Wade."
Event Appearances (21)
Partisan Trends in Late Night Humor
Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences Fairfax, VA
2018-04-06
The New Virginia: Politics and the Economy after the 2017 Elections
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance Lynchburg, VA
2017-12-14
Reviewing the 2017 Elections in Virginia
Virginia Civics Summit Chesterfield, VA
2017-11-29
The Trump Presidency, the Mass Media and Public Opinion
The Norwegian Washington Seminar Washington, DC
2017-10-28
The Identity Crises of the Democratic and Republican Parties
White House Fellows Foundation Leadership Conference Washington, DC
2017-10-27
Donald Trump and the Late-Night Political Humor of Campaign 2016: All the Donald, All the Time
American Political Science Association San Francisco, CA
2017-08-31
Virginia’s Candidate Selection Process: Examining Recent Primaries and Conventions
American Legion Boys’ State of Virginia Radford, VA
2017-06-21
President Obama’s Use of New Media: Enacting the Affordable Care Act and Defining Presidential Character
Western Political Science Association Vancouver, Canada
2017-04-04
Politics, Media and the American Political System.
Institute for International Education Visitor Leadership Program for International Journalism, U.S. Department of State Washington, DC
2017-03-02
Media Bias is a Threat to American Democracy
Podius Debates. University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
2016-10-26
Digital Media, Public Opinion and the US Presidential Race
BI University Oslo, Norway
2016-10-12
The Presidential Candidates, the Mass Media and the Angry Voters of 2016
Mary Talks, University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA
2016-10-03
News Coverage of the 2013 Virginia Governor’s Race Versus Presidential Election News
American Political Science Association Philadelphia, PA
2016-09-21
A Comparative Analysis of the Partisan Targets of Media Fact-checking
American Political Science Association Philadelphia, PA
2016-09-14
U.S. Journalism, Public Opinion and Foreign Policy Development
Institute for International Education Visitor Leadership Program for International Journalism, U.S. Department of State Washington, DC
2016-09-07
Late Night Comics Examine Campaign 2016: Donald Trump Dominates the Jokes
American Political Science Association Pre-Conference in Political Communication Philadelphia, PA
2016-08-03
Barack Obama and the Rise of the Diffident Presidential Style
Midwest Political Science Association Chicago, IL
2016-04-07
Studying the Presidency after 9/11: Re-considering Presidential Character in Domestic and International Contexts
9/11 and the Academy Conference at Emory & Henry College Emory, Va
2015-11-12
Fact-Checking the Fact-Checkers
American Political Science Association San Francisco, CA
2015-09-10
News Coverage of U.S. Presidential Campaigns: Reporting on Primaries and General Elections, 1988-2012
American Political Science Association, Washington, D.C.
2014-08-01
The Automated Coding of Sentiment in Political News Coverage: Examining Newspaper Coverage of the 2013 Race for Governor of Virginia
American Political Science Association Pre-Conference in Political Communication, Washington, D.C.
2014-08-01
Courses (1)
American Government:
Mass Media Politics U.S. Political Parties & Elections The American Presidency US Constitutional Reform US Politics and Film Consuming News: A User’s Guide
Articles (14)
Donald Trump and the Late-Night Political Humor of Campaign 2016: All the Donald, All the Time.
RoutledgeStephen J. Farnsworth, S. Robert Lichter, and Deanne Canieso
2018-02-14
The Presidency and Social Media: Discourse, Disruption and Digital Democracy in the 2016 Presidential Election, (Dan Schill and John Allen Hendricks, ed.) New York: Routledge, 2018: 330-45.
This One Map Shows the Republicans’ Problem in Virginia
Washington PostStephen J. Farnsworth and Stephen Hanna
2017-11-09
[Opinion column] “This One Map Shows the Republicans’ Problem in Virginia.” (Stephen J. Farnsworth and Stephen Hanna). Washington Post. (“The Monkey Cage” blog). November 9, 2017.
Support for Medicaid in Virginia Keeps Growing
Washington PostStephen Farnsworth
2017-10-08
[Opinion column] “Support for Medicaid in Virginia Keeps Growing.” Washington Post. October 8, 2017.
Party Affiliation and Political Class
GreenwoodBenjamin Hermerding and Stephen J. Farnsworth
The American Middle Class: An Economic Encyclopedia of Progress and Poverty (R.S. Rycroft, ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, 2017: 476-9.
Virginia’s 2013 Gubernatorial Race and Presidential Elections: A Comparison of News Coverage.
The Virginia News LetterStephen J. Farnsworth and S. Robert Lichter
2017-08-01
The Virginia News Letter. Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia. 92(3): 1-8 (August 2016).
News coverage of Trump is really, really negative. Even on Fox News
Washington PostStephen J. Farnsworth, S. Robert Lichter, and Roland Schatz
2017-02-28
[ Opinion column] “News coverage of Trump is really, really negative. Even on Fox News.” (Stephen J. Farnsworth, S. Robert Lichter, and Roland Schatz.)Washington Post. (“The Monkey Cage” blog). February 28, 2017.
Donald Trump will probably be the most ridiculed president ever
Washington PostStephen J. Farnsworth, S. Robert Lichter, and Deanne Canieso
2017-01-21
[Opinion column] “Donald Trump will probably be the most ridiculed president ever.” Stephen J. Farnsworth, S. Robert Lichter, and Deanne Canieso.Washington Post. (“The Monkey Cage” blog). January 21, 2017.
Farnsworth Published by "The Fix" Blog, Washington Post
The Washington Post2016-03-08
Stephen Farnsworth is co-author of an opinion column, “Late Night Tells Three Times as Many Jokes about 2016 Republicans as Democrats,” published by "The Fix" blog of the Washington Post.
“The 2015 Election in Virginia: A Tribute to Gerrymandering.”
The Washington Post2015-11-05
A map by Stephen Hanna, professor of geography, and a column by Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, which both discussed the recent state legislative elections were published in "The Fix" blog of The Washington Post. The column was titled “The 2015 Election in Virginia: A Tribute to Gerrymandering.”
With Overwhelming Support for Nonpartisan Redistricting, Virginians are Studying Ways to Make That Happen
The Virginia News Letter2015-06-27
Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at the University of Virginia
An Extended Presidential Honeymoon: Coverage of Barack Obama in The New York Times during 2009 and 2010
Politics and Policy2015-06-01
(Stephen J. Farnsworth and S. Robert Lichter). Politics and Policy 41 (3): 447-463 (June 2013).
Virginia Voters and Decentralized Governmental Power: Federal Frustration and State Satisfaction?
Virginia Social Science Journal2015-05-01
Virginia Voters and Decentralized Governmental Power: Federal Frustration and State Satisfaction?
Event-Driven Environmental News in the U.S. and Canada
Electronic Media and Politics2012-11-01
(Stuart Soroka, Stephen J. Farnsworth, Lori Young and Andrea Lawlor). Electronic Media and Politics 1(10): 143-57 (November 2012).
Authors’ Response: Improving News Coverage in the 2012 Presidential Campaign and Beyond
Politics & Policy2012-08-01
(Stephen J. Farnsworth and S. Robert Lichter). Politics & Policy 40(4): 547-556 (August 2012).
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