With early voting setting new records and national politics reshaping local elections, Professor Stephen Farnsworth is helping journalists and voters make sense of the noise.
As director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Farnsworth continues to be a go-to expert across major outlets. In just the past few weeks, he’s been featured in:
NBC Washington WAMU Yahoo News Richmond Times-Dispatch DC News Now Virginia Mercury Farnsworth has weighed in on everything from Kamala Harris’ rising prospects to the effects of Trump’s policies on rural Virginia. Whether he’s speaking to the League of Women Voters or breaking down the numbers for DC news outlets, Farnsworth brings clarity to the chaos.
For journalists covering Virginia politics and U.S. elections, Farnsworth is a key source of insight.
Click on the icon below to connect with: Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs; Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies Expertise: Virginia politics, media and messaging, U.S. elections, disinformation.
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1 min
Professor Stephen Farnsworth isn’t just analyzing politics, he’s shaping the conversation. Whether moderating congressional debates or exploring the political power of humor, he brings sharp insight and historical context to national audiences.
As a professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Farnsworth recently moderated two high-profile congressional debates in Virginia’s 7th and 10th districts — both aired on C-SPAN (2024 7th District Debate; 2022 10th District Forum).
He’s also delivered public lectures for UMW’s Great Lives series, using figures like Johnny Carson and Charlie Chaplin to trace the role of humor in shaping American political identity. Watch the full talks: Johnny Carson and Political Humor, and Charlie Chaplin. These public-facing programs reflect his broader mission: helping voters, students, and media audiences understand how politics works — and why it matters.
Click the icon below to connect with: Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs; Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies.
Expertise: Political communication, presidential humor, Virginia elections, public engagement.
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Virginia has become the center of attention for lawmakers as seven school boards are taking Gov. Glenn Youngkin to court over mask-optional orders for students. A group of parents are also suing the new governor, who campaigned on ending mask mandates in public schools, and made it one of his first executive orders.
It’s a complicated and no doubt controversial stance – and to fully comprehend what’s going on and the political implications for both sides, media organizations like The Washington Post are contacting experts like UMW’s Stephen Farnsworth to help break it all down.
Fairfax School Board Chair Stella Pekarsky said in an interview Sunday that the lawsuit boils down to an issue of local control: “Can we make policies for our school system, or does the governor get to come and do that for us?” Youngkin, Pekarsky added, “does not tell us what to do.” Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said the twin lawsuits place significant pressure on Virginia’s court system to step in quickly to resolve the debate. “In situations like this, where there is no middle ground and where neither side has any interest in backing down, only judges can be the necessary umpires,” Farnsworth said. “The sooner they do so, the better for all concerned.” But nobody knows when that will happen. This is a hot button topic, and the result of the lawsuits may have national implications. Dr. Stephen Farnsworth is a sought-after political commentator on presidential politics. He has been widely featured in national media, including The Washington Post, Reuters, The Chicago Tribune and MSNBC. If you are a reporter covering the midterms and especially Virginia politics, simple click on his icon to arrange an interview today.
Media
Social
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 nine books on U.S. politics, with a particular focus on presidential communication. His recent works include "Presidential Communication and Character: White House News Management from Clinton and Cable to Twitter and Trump," which examines how the last four U.S. presidents sell themselves and their policies in an ever-expanding and sometimes precarious media environment, and "Late Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency," which considers the treatment of presidents on late-night comedy programs over the past several decades.
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 three decades and the recipient of three Fulbright awards, 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
American Elections
American Government
The American Presidency
Internet Politics
Mass Media and Politics
Virginia Government and Politics
Journalism
Accomplishments
J. William Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in Humanities and Social Sciences
2024-01-01
American Studies Center, University of Warsaw, Poland
Best Conference Paper Award in Political Communication
2023-04-01
Eastern Communication Association, Baltimore, Maryland
J. William Fulbright Faculty Specialist
2019-07-01
Methodist College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Waple Research Professorship
2018-03-31
Awarded for outstanding research in political science.
Farnsworth Receives Outstanding Faculty Award
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
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
2016-04-10
Awarded by the Virginia Association of Communication Arts and Sciences.
Best Conference Paper Award in Political Communication
2011-04-01
Eastern Communication Association
Best Conference Paper Award in Political Communication
2009-04-01
Southern States Communication Association
J. William Fulbright Research Chair in Public Policy
2006-01-01
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Outstanding Young Faculty Member Award
2001-01-01
Awarded by the Alumni Association of Mary Washington College.
Mary W. Pinschmidt Teaching Award
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
1999-01-01
Presented by Mortar Board honor and service society in recognition of exceptional teaching and service to Mary Washington College.
Education
Dartmouth College
B.A. (Honors)
American Government
University of Missouri
B.A. (Honors)
History
Georgetown University
M.A.
American Government
Georgetown University
Ph.D.
American Government
Media Appearances
Democrats zero in on Virginia redistricting as early voting begins
The Hill; Yahoo News online
2026-03-12
The ballot measure is “an opportunity for Virginia voters to offer yet another referendum on how they feel about President Trump” in a state he lost in all three of his elections, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.
Virginia Senate leadership sends a message after killing Spanberger agenda bill
WVTF online
2026-03-10
University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth told Radio IQ, “When everybody is on the same team that’s when things get interesting.”
Virginia Democrats Focus on Affordability With New Governor, Control of General Assembly
Community Sentinel online
2026-03-09
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said Democrats still face an uphill battle to impact Virginians’ wallets because macro-economic conditions come out of the federal government. “Affordability is really tough to manage at the state level,” he said. “There’s a limit to how much the state government can do to impact the price of groceries”.
Reaction: Virginia Gov. delivers Dem response to Trump's State of the Union
Yahoo News online
2026-03-02
"Well, it is important to note that any time you do rebuttal to the State of the Union, you're really talking about a very difficult challenging environment," said Stephen Farnsworth.
Virginia House subcommittee punts on data center bill, but hopes to ‘continue the work’
Henrico Citizen online
2026-02-16
Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, said data center policy was a priority of the Democratic majorities in the legislature last year. “But the gridlock in Richmond meant that the topic was down the road until this year,” Farnsworth said.
Supervisors collect nearly $300K in campaign donations – mostly from data center interests
Prince William Times online
2026-02-16
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said the contributions tied to data center projects could be the result of growing opposition to data centers. “As (data centers) become controversial, proponents want to be sure that they’re spending what it’s going to take to find enthusiastic lawmakers,” Farnsworth said.
Nuclear treaty that kept world peace just expired: What happens now?
TRT World online
2026-02-16
Noted political analyst Dr Stephen J. Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science at the University of Mary Washington, told TRT World, “The expiration of the treaty may lead to a dangerous and expensive expansion of the nuclear arsenals of Russia and the US.”
Subcommittee taps brakes on measure to shift costs to data centers
Fairfax County Times online
2026-02-16
Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, said data center policy was a priority of the Democratic majorities in the legislature last year. “But the gridlock in Richmond meant that the topic was down the road until this year,” Farnsworth said.
Va. House subcommittee punts on measure to shift more electricity costs to data centers
Prince William Times online
2026-02-12
Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, said data center policy was a priority of the Democratic majorities in the legislature last year. “But the gridlock in Richmond meant that the topic was down the road until this year,” Farnsworth said.
House subcommittee punts on data center bill, but hopes to ‘continue the work’
Virginia Business online
2026-02-11
Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science and international affairs at the University of Mary Washington, said data center policy was a priority of the Democratic majorities in the legislature last year. “But the gridlock in Richmond meant that the topic was down the road until this year,” Farnsworth said.
A 10-1 map turns Va. politics upside down — if voters agree (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Richmond Times-Dispatch online
2026-02-09
"There's no doubt about it, if you slice Northern Virginia as thinly as they have done in these district maps, you're going to create a lot of favorable environments for Democrats," said Steve Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
Affordability or tax hikes? Spanberger agenda caught in political crossfire (Yahoo News; Henrico Citizen)
Yahoo News; Henrico Citizen online
2026-02-09
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington said that silence carries risks. “One of the things that we’ve learned in the world of social media is that the truth is a rare and not very highly valued commodity,” Farnsworth said. “You don’t need evidence to make a claim online, and increasingly, people don’t even care.”
Virginia Democrats pitch US House map despite court ruling against redistricting
NBC 4 Washington online
2026-02-09
"By slicing up Northern Virginia as thinly as this plan would do, you are maximizing the chances that not only will Northern Virginia have more clout, but there will be more Democratic seats than is currently the case in Virginia,” Farnsworth said.
Virginia House Democrats pass new gun laws, but not all Democrats voted for them
WVTF; USA Today online
2026-02-09
University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth said that can be beneficial for likely-vulnerable legislators like McAuliffe and Franklin, but it can cut both ways. “The big majority gives the speaker a lot more flexibility, not only to let individual lawmakers walk away from what a majority of what Democrats might want, it also gives the speaker the opportunity to kill bills from the far left that the governor doesn’t want to see on her desk,” Farnsworth warned.
Sound Familiar? 'Moderate' Dem Spanberger Became Virginia Gov by Promising 'Affordability,' But Leftists Immediately Push Radical Tax-First Agenda in Legislature
The Western Journal online
2026-02-05
Political Science Professors Larry Sabato and Stephen Farnsworth believe most of the tax increase proposals will not pass the Virginia General Assembly. “I think it’s important to note that a lot of what gets proposed in the legislature never comes to pass,” said Farnsworth, a professor with the University of Mary Washington. Mary Washington.
Affordability or tax hikes? Spanberger agenda caught in political crossfire
Virginia Mercury online
2026-02-05
Political scientist Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington said that silence carries risks. “One of the things that we’ve learned in the world of social media is that the truth is a rare and not very highly valued commodity,” Farnsworth said. “You don’t need evidence to make a claim online, and increasingly, people don’t even care.”
Hey GOP! This News Report Is the Ad That Will Win the Midterms.
PJ Media online
2026-02-03
Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, told the Mercury, “This is not a normal opening act for a legislative session. Spanberger is setting the stage for an aggressive year one.”
Battling Disinformation with Political Humor, Keynote Speech
Navigating the Digital World of Tomorrow Conference, Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission Warsaw, Poland
2024-04-01
Ridicule in Late-Night Political Humor in the United States: Contours and Consequences
Northeastern Political Science Association Boston, Massachusetts
2024-11-01
Analyzing the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Results
American Studies Program (online) Nicosia, Cyprus
2024-11-01
The Trump Presidential Ttansition: What is New and What is Not
University of Warsaw (online) Warsaw, Poland
2024-12-01
The Second Trump Presidency: Policy Implications from His First Week Back in Office
Maria Curie Sklodowska University (online) Lublin, Poland
2025-01-01
The Consequences of the 2024 Presidential Election (so far)
American Association of University Women Fredericksburg, Virginia
2025-03-01
Patterns of Political Ridicule in the United States
George Mason University Character Assassination Conference Arlington, Virginia
2025-03-01
Political Narratives, Disinformation and the 2025 and 2026 Elections
Virginia League of Women Voters Annual Conference Fredericksburg, Virginia
2025-06-01
Courses
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
Donald Trump and the Late-Night Political Humor of Campaign 2016: All the Donald, All the Time.
Routledge
Stephen 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 Post
Stephen 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 Post
Stephen Farnsworth
2017-10-08
[Opinion column] “Support for Medicaid in Virginia Keeps Growing.” Washington Post. October 8, 2017.
Party Affiliation and Political Class
Greenwood
Benjamin 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 Letter
Stephen 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 Post
Stephen 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 Post
Stephen 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 Post
2016-03-08
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 Post
2015-11-05
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.”
