Election Watch 2025: Farnsworth Breaks Down Virginia’s Political Landscape
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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From Johnny Carson to Campaign Debates – Farnsworth Brings Politics to the Public
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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All eyes on Virginia as parents and school systems sue over mask-optional orders
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.
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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.
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Education
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
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Media Appearances
UMW hosts Oct. 2 debate between Cole, Steinway
The Free Lance-Star online
2025-09-17
The University of Mary Washington will host a political debate between the two candidates for the 65th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. As he’s done in years past, moderator Stephen Farnsworth will do his utmost to maintain a civil and cordial atmosphere. He’s a professor of political science and serves as director of the UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies.
ELECTION 2025: Balance of power in Va. House could be decided in Prince William
Prince William Times online
2025-09-16
This year, polls suggest Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, has the political winds in her sails, powered by discontent over President Donald Trump’s federal job cuts and other economic challenges, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington and director of its Center For Leadership and Media Studies.
Ahead of November elections, Democrats stress-test affordability message
National Journal online
2025-09-16
“The deeper into the weeds you get in an energy conversation, the more you’re going to lose voters,” University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said. “The key issue is affordability right now. Long-term energy plans are not likely to be a pivotal question to voters.”
Virginia nursing homes challenge Youngkin veto in court
Richmond Free Press online
2025-09-10
Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth predicted at the time of the veto back-and-forth in the spring that the dispute “could end up in the courts like just about everything else these days.”
Special election on Tuesday to determine who replaces Rep. Gerry Connolly's seat
WUSA 9 online
2025-09-10
“Special elections are known for a low turnout,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington. “One thing you can look for in this is to what extent does northern Virginia's anger over Trump's policies generate higher turnout.”
Voters choose new Virginia congressman Tuesday in special election
WTOP; Network Today online
2025-09-10
“There’s an old saying that all politics is local, but I really think that what you’re considering in the 11th district of Virginia is all politics is national,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.
Bellwether Virginia governor race enters post-Labor Day stretch
Washington Examiner; MSN online
2025-09-10
Part of the problem Earle-Sears is facing is "the challenge of running as a Republican in a state that has been significantly impacted by President Trump's federal cutbacks," said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
Virginia governor’s race hits high gear as referendum on Trump
The Washington Post online
2025-09-10
The dynamics of the campaign are so different for each candidate that it makes sense they’d pursue very different themes, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington.
Nursing homes, health care associations sue Youngkin over vetoed nursing home bill
Virginia Mercury online
2025-09-04
Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth predicted at the time of the veto back-and-forth this spring that the dispute “could end up in the courts like just about everything else these days.”
Past elections echo in governor's race as Labor Day push begins
Richmond Times-Dispatch online
2025-09-02
But Steve Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said the shift in the campaign’s focus shows that its previous strategy wasn’t working. “It’s tough for Republicans to run on the economy right now … hence the pivot,” Farnsworth said. “Candidates who are polling well don’t need to develop new strategies.”
Labor Days past: When politics leapt from summer doldrums to its fall stretch run
Virginia Mercury; Yahoo News online
2025-08-29
“So much has changed in Virginia politics over the last 25 years, and those changes all work against events like Buena Vista,” said Stephen Farnsworth, political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “For the dwindling Richmond press corps, it’s a very expensive proposition to make the trek. For the candidates, it’s not clear there’s a lot of value in going if there’s no coverage,” said Farnsworth who, before his 32 years as a professor, reported for the Kansas City Star.
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth is a professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Dr. Farnsworth reacts to Earle-Sears closing the gap and how each candidate should move forward with less than 100 days in the race. "Part of this has to do with Republicans coming together," said Stephen Farnsworth.
Virginia’s top Senate Democrat wants to cover Trump cuts with weed tax revenue
WVTF online
2025-08-22
University of Mary Washington Political Science Professor Stephen Farnsworth said funding gaps include forthcoming rate hikes for those on Affordable Care Act healthcare plans and hits to tax revenue from federal layoffs. "Virginia is going to have to figure out how to generate significant additional cash to compensate for the economic challenges that come from President Trump's policies," he said.
Trump’s backup at Russia talks shows hesitation on quick deal
CHCH online
2025-08-19
CHCH News Anchor Matt Ingram spoke with American Presidency and International Relations expert from the University of Washington in Virginia, Steven Farnsworth about Trump’s meeting with Putin on Friday. Farnsworth suspects Trump brought backup with him to the meeting that was originally set to be one-on-one because Secretary of State Marco Rubio will ensure a good deal for everyone involved and not settle for a quick deal.
Host and comedian Stephen Colbert, the new "face" of the resistance against Donald Trump
20 Minutes, Paris, France) online
2025-08-13
Deprived of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert could lose his megaphone. Wherever he goes, "with Trump's approval rating below 40% in recent US polls, there is clearly an audience for the content he offers," notes Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of the book Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency.
Republicans Suddenly Distrust Jobs Data After Trump Fires Statistics Chief
The New York Times online
2025-08-06
Stephen J. Farnsworth, political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said even though much of the economic news Ms. McEntarfer delivered to the Trump White House was positive, “that wasn’t enough.” “The firing is a warning to other government officials that Trump pays very close attention to whether the news makes him look good or not,” he said. “The larger issue is what this means for markets and for investors. If we’re talking about an environment where the impartiality or accuracy of government statistics is called into question, it’s much harder for people to make rational and informed choices.”
Will the State Department's loss of seasoned diplomats diminish America's global sway?
TRT Global online
2025-07-18
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington, echoes Williams' perspective. "President Trump has long had his doubts about the federal bureaucracy, where there are rules and procedures that limit what Trump wants to do," he told TRT World.
Some Democratic candidates may not receive as much donor support as others this election cycle
WFVTF online
2025-07-15
"Donors have to figure out where their money can be best spent, and that means very viable candidates may not be as appealing to a donor as somebody else is," Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says. "It's a painful reality of politics that donors engage in triage, figuring out campaigns that are most effective users of donations versus those that may be good users but not at the top of the list."
Virginia Democrats are eyeing 13 potential seats that could flip blue this year
WMRA online
2025-07-09
Lucky 13 is the target number of seats this year for Democrats, who are hoping to flip the districts from red to blue. Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says the battleground is suburban. "They're often in outer ring suburban communities, particularly in the Richmond and Hampton Roads area where elections are won and lost in Virginia. These are contested spaces, these outer ring suburban counties," Farnsworth says. "They're not rural. They're not really urban. But they are places where both parties often can be competitive."
"I think it is very important to remember that there is not much either of the candidates can do or say that has all that much of an impact in a district that is overwhelmingly democratic in its orientation," said Stephen Farnsworth.
Political Narratives, Disinformation and the 2025 and 2026 Elections
Virginia League of Women Voters Annual Conference Fredericksburg, Virginia
2025-06-01
Patterns of Political Ridicule in the United States
George Mason University Character Assassination Conference Arlington, Virginia
2025-03-01
The Consequences of the 2024 Presidential Election (so far)
American Association of University Women Fredericksburg, Virginia
2025-03-01
The Second Trump Presidency: Policy Implications from His First Week Back in Office
Maria Curie Sklodowska University (online) Lublin, Poland
2025-01-01
The Trump Presidential Ttansition: What is New and What is Not
University of Warsaw (online) Warsaw, Poland
2024-12-01
Analyzing the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election Results
American Studies Program (online) Nicosia, Cyprus
2024-11-01
Ridicule in Late-Night Political Humor in the United States: Contours and Consequences
Northeastern Political Science Association Boston, Massachusetts
2024-11-01
Battling Disinformation with Political Humor, Keynote Speech
Navigating the Digital World of Tomorrow Conference, Polish-U.S. Fulbright Commission Warsaw, Poland
2024-04-01
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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.”
