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 (13)
George Mason University Students Petition Against Youngkin as Commencement Speaker
NBC 4 online
2023-03-28
Political science professor Dr. Stephen Farnsworth says that as Americans become more polarized, universities are struggling to find a balance between protecting free speech and protecting marginalized students. "As more and more people are combative and hateful in the things that they have to say, universities increasingly feel pressure by the left and by the right and are caught in the middle in these kinds of culture wars," Farnsworth said.
Biden's Ottawa Trip Focused on Ukraine
CP24 online
2023-03-27
"It is a relationship that benefits both nations in all sorts of ways whether we are talking about economic or security, and I think one of the things that is really clear about the Biden presidency is that this is a presidency about restoring the long- standing bond not only with Canada but with other allies and nations around the world that have had sort of a back hand experience in the Trump years," said Stephen Farnsworth.
Trump to Hold Rally in Waco, Texas
CTV News online
2023-03-27
"You can expect Trump talking about how bad the prosecutors are and how unfairly he was treated. Trump always turns to being a victim when he feels squeezed and that works pretty well with his base supporters," said Stephen Farnsworth.
The all-important top ballot position
WVTF online
2023-03-17
Stephen Farnsworth at the University of Mary Washington says this is one of the few things a well-organized campaign can actually control. "The election is still some time away, and so if you can get your name on the ballot now at the front of the line, that may make a difference," Farnsworth says.
Texas Abortion Pill Challenge
CTV News online
2023-03-16
"I think the likelihood that the judge is going to provide for support for the pro-life movement in the United States is pretty good," said Stephen Farnsworth.
With much of budget still out, Youngkin tallies wins and losses in session
Richmond Times-Dispatch online
2023-02-28
"Legislatively, this wasn’t a very successful session,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “The reality is there wasn’t much interest in bipartisan agreement across a wide range of issues.”
Did No White House Officials Visit East Palestine Before Trump?
Newsweek online
2023-02-28
Professor Stephen Farnsworth, a director at the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, added that the term was "routinely used to cover the cabinet and other people close to the president." "That they work for Biden is what matters - not whether they are based in the White House, OEOB, NEOB, etc..." Farnsworth added. "Top Biden administration official would be a better term. But the terms mean the same thing in common usage."
Lawmakers pass gun locker tax credit, shoot down improper gun storage penalty
Henrico Citizen online
2023-02-28
Stephen Farnsworth is the director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies and a political science professor. Firearms need to be secured effectively, especially in places where kids are present, Farnsworth said.
Bills on divorce period, sexual harassment, wrongful death, absentee voting fail in General Assembly
Suffolk News-Herald online
2023-02-20
There will be plenty of other failed bills this session. In fact, gridlock is to be expected when “voters put one party in charge of one chamber and the other party in charge of the other,” according to Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies and a political science professor.
Virginia lawmakers kill bill that would have repealed law on California car emission standards
The Virginian-Pilot; Inside NoVA online
2023-02-20
The effort to overturn the Clean Car law could be a factor in the upcoming November election, according to Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington and a political science professor. “Republicans often run on issues of individual freedoms and a bill that comes out of California and shapes public preferences in a liberal direction is a useful thing for Republican candidates to talk about,” Farnsworth said.
Anti-trans bills cause harm, fear even if they fail, advocates say
Henrico Citizen online
2023-02-10
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies and a political science professor, said there are a few questions to ask for balanced legislative coverage.
General Assembly Midpoint Offers Up Interesting Stats – More Issues Lay Ahead
The Roanoke Star online
2023-02-10
Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington Center for Leadership and Media Studies, said there will be a delay in the passage of controversial measures. “Even things that passed in one house that are contentious will face problems in the other house, given divided government,” Farnsworth said.
Virginia lawmakers move further away from potential Commanders stadium
WTOP: Bulletin Reporter online
2023-02-09
“The Senate is reallocating the money the governor was hoping to spend on the study,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor with the University of Mary Washington. “For those hoping there would be a Commanders stadium in Virginia, this is a move in the wrong direction,” Farnsworth added.
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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