Political Science Experts Available for Election 2024

Reporters covering the fast-moving 2024 presidential election, please see the list of Syracuse University experts available to discuss the issues as they happen.

Please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, executive director of media relations, via ejmbuqe@syr.edu to arrange interviews with any of these experts.

Political Science Professor Grant Reeher researches and teaches about American politics and political theory, democracy and citizenship. Reeher said the Democrats would need to replace President Biden very soon if they hope to regain ground.

• “In order to give the new candidate enough time to generate enthusiasm, and for the party’s national campaign to adjust its strategy and messaging. The problem for the Democrats is, how do they avoid what appears to be a somewhat weak national candidacy by Kamala Harris without spilling a lot of internal party blood and creating deep internal divisions. They’d have to step over a woman of color. Not a good look for the Democrats. There are some other prominent Democrats who might be more appealing in a national general election; I just don’t see how the Democrats get to them without creating a lot of chaos and bitterness,” said Reeher.

How can this current unrest in the Democratic Party impact congressional races?

• “If enthusiasm among Democrats drops, either through dissatisfaction with Biden and concerns over his health, or concerns about a Harris presidency, that could lead some potential voters to just sit it out,” said Reeher. “And on the other side, sensing a victory, it could energize the Republicans. So, while the issue at the top of the ticket won’t change a lot of minds about who to choose in a congressional race, it could have impact on who is voting in the first place.”

Syracuse University Associate Professor of Communications Joshua Darr teaches about political communication in the Newhouse School. His comments below reference Biden’s press conference after attending NATO meeting.

• “It’s hard for me to see how tonight’s press conference at the NATO meeting could reverse Biden’s slide – his campaign clearly hopes it can, since they’ve been promoting it relentlessly. Combined with the Republican National Convention next week, this might be the most critical 10 days in the entire campaign,” said Darr.

• “The murmurs against Biden in the party are becoming a roar, just days after it seemed like Biden had his support secured. Nancy Pelosi’s appearance on Morning Joe on Wednesday very clearly left the door open for Democrats to continue to voice their desire for Biden to step aside,” said Darr.

Syracuse University political science professor Shana Gadarian is the author of “Anxious Politics: Democratic Citizenship in a Threatening World” and “Pandemic Politics: The Deadly Toll of Partisanship in the Age of COVID.” She studies political psychology and American politics. She has commented that the issue of abortion has been a powerful motivator for voters.

• “In every state where abortion has been on the ballot since the end of Roe v. Wade, abortion access has won with significant majorities even in conservative states. This means that there are voters in places like Kansas, Ohio, and Kentucky who normally support Republican candidates who turned out in off-year elections to support abortion access as a single issue,” said Gadarian.