As the Maryland gubernatorial race intensifies, Public Policy Professor and Chair Donald Norris was interviewed for several articles in the Baltimore Sun providing analysis. Norris commented on voter turnout, Republican candidate Larry Hogan’s campaign strategy, and distortions that have been prevalent during the campaign. To read complete version of the three articles Norris was quoted in, click below.

Brown bucks trend nationally with Obama invitation
Hogan, activist and businessman, ‘wears his passion on his sleeve’
Distortions fly in the race for governor

On October 22, the Baltimore Sun published an article about Baltimore County campaign signs and how some are set up in a way to display bipartisanship. Laura Hussey, an associate professor of political science, was quoted in the article and discussed Democrat Tom Quirk’s campaign signs being placed near Republican Joseph Hooe’s. Quirk is running for re-election as 1st District County Councilman, and Hooe is running for state delegate in District 12. Hussey said it’s not unusual for candidates to tout their work across party lines.

“It may influence voters’ perceptions of a candidate’s character traits, and these traits are a factor in some voters’ choices,” Hussey said. “Most people…seem to prefer collaborative over combatitive personalities.”

In an article published October 22 in the Herald-Mail, Hussey commented on Maryland voter turnout trends heading into Election Day on November 4. Hussey said she doesn’t expect a sudden uptick in voters turning out for the election next month. She said that residents pay less attention to elections in an “off-election” year.

An article published October 19 in The Hill examines several elections in the South where Democratic candidates have close ties to Bill and Hillary Clinton in states such as Arkansas and Kentucky. The article mentions how it may be difficult for Democratic candidates in those states to distance themselves from an unpopular current president.

Thomas Schaller, professor and chair of political science, was interviewed for the article and said, “I’m constantly puzzled when other people are surprised that there hasn’t been this Democratic revival in the South.” Schaller has argued that Democrats should make the South less of a priority in winning elections, adding, “my feeling is that the underlying fundamentals in the region work against the Democrats.”

Schaller said Hillary Clinton is the Democrats’ best chance to win in the South in 2016, but even if she’s successful, it wouldn’t necessarily mean significant changes for Democratic strategy in the South.

“I think she’s a good test case for how competitive the Democrats can be in the South, because she can pair her husband’s appeal in the more rural South and presumably draw support in the places where Obama did well,” Schaller said. “If she can’t start flipping states, then who is?”

To read the full article in The Hill, click here.

An article published October 18 in the Washington Post analyzed the Washington, D.C. mayoral election and the state of the race leading up to Election Day on November 4. Council member Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) is running against council member David Catania (I-At Large) and early voting is underway.

George Derek Musgrove ’97, history, associate professor of history, is writing a book about race and democracy in the District and was interviewed for the article.

“There is not a great deal of policy difference between them,” said Musgrove when describing the two mayoral candidates. “They are, quite frankly, running on style,” Musgrove said. “Bowser is trying to portray Catania as a hothead, and Catania is trying to portray Bowser as a lightweight.”

To read the full article titled, “D.C. mayoral choice: Muriel Bowser’s caution or David Catania’s combativeness?” click here.

One of the things that makes UMBC great is how wonderful our alumni, students, faculty, and staff are. Because of these amazing people, UMBC often finds itself “in the news,” so each week, we’ll be sharing with you a round-up of the most newsworthy achievements from our community.

• “UMBC AIRS Team” has won a NASA Group Achievement Award
• Intramural 3K Monster Dash (10/29)
• Head Swimming and Diving Coach Chad Cradock Earns 200th Career Victory
• Two Students From the English Department Named HASTAC Scholars for 2014-2015

Read more at UMBC Insights!

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