Media advisory: KU experts available to discuss 2014 Kansas, national election issues, races

LAWRENCE — The Nov. 4 general election features key congressional and gubernatorial races across the country, including in Kansas.

University of Kansas experts are available to comment on various issues and races in national and state politics and elections throughout this campaign season.

As Republicans and Democrats spar over control of the U.S. Senate, each Senate race is key, including in Kansas, where polls have shown a tight race between incumbent GOP U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts and independent challenger Greg Orman. The Kansas Supreme Court in September allowed Democratic nominee Chad Taylor to remove himself from the ballot. Late-summer polling had shown Orman had a better chance of defeating Roberts in a head-to-head race. Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is also locked in a tight race with State House Minority Leader Paul Davis.

Kansas politics

Patrick Miller, assistant professor of political science, can speak about politics in Kansas, including the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, and nationally. He monitors state and national polling made available and tweets analysis at Twitter.com/pmiller1693. Miller is also available to comment on elections and campaign finance and issues, public opinion and surveys, media and politics, and race and politics.

Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, is available to speak about Kansas politics, including the Senate and gubernatorial campaigns. He also researches Congress, U.S. politics and lobbying.

Alexander Smith, a visiting adjunct professor of sociology and Senior Leverhulme Research Fellow and assistant professor of sociology at the University of Warwick, can address Kansas politics and the influence of political moderation in the state's history. Smith has studied Kansas politics in the last decade after conservatives gained more power nationally and in several states. He is working on a manuscript that rebuts the central thesis of Thomas Frank's book "What's the Matter with Kansas?" because Smith argues Frank failed to capture the history and influence of moderates in state politics.

To arrange an interview with Miller, Loomis or Smith, contact George Diepenbrock at 785-864-8853 or gdiepenbrock@ku.edu.

Mark Johnson, lecturer in journalism, can speak about voter eligibility, post-election disputes over results, campaign finance, including contributions and expenditures, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United and what it means for American elections. He can also discuss election law surrounding the Kansas Senate race, especially now that Democrats won't have to name another candidate after the Kansas Supreme Court removed Taylor from the ballot.

To arrange an interview with Johnson, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860 or mkrings@ku.edu.

National political races, issues

In addition to Kansas races, KU experts are available to address national trends on demographics and election issues.

Don Haider-Markel, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, can speak about national political trends and races and potential policy implications. His research includes American politics and public policy.

Christina Bejarano, associate professor of political science, is available to talk about U.S. politics. Her work focuses on women and Latinos in U.S. electoral politics, both their voting trends and political candidates. She has written two books: "The Latina Advantage: Gender, Race and Political Success" and "The Latino Gender Gap in U.S. Politics."

Paul Johnson, a professor or political science and director of KU's Center for Research Methods and Data Analysis, is available to discuss polling data, public opinion, elections and voting behavior. His broad research interests include interest group politics, electoral institutions, public opinion and data analysis.

Alesha Doan, chair of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department and associate professor of political science, can address political issues nationally and in Kansas related to women, including topics of abortion and reproductive policy.

Gary Reich, an associate professor of political science, is available to speak about immigration-related issues and policy. His research includes immigration policy at state and federal levels. 

To interview Haider-Markel, Bejarano, Johnson, Doan or Reich, contact George Diepenbrock at 785-864-8853 or gdiepenbrock@ku.edu.

Robert Rowland, a professor of communication studies, researches political rhetoric, including political debates and the rhetoric of presidents. Recently, he published a journal article on the first 2012 presidential debate. While public opinion declared Mitt Romney the decisive winner, Rowland said President Barack Obama proved to be the superior debater. He found that unlike previous debates, the public’s focus shifted from the quality of the argument to the use of political theater.

To arrange an interview with Rowland, contact Christine Metz Howard at 785-864-8852 or cmetzhoward@ku.edu.