2018 Midterm Elections


From campaign finance to policy issues to voting trends in Texas and at the national level, faculty experts at UT Austin are poised to provide insight for coverage of the 2018. 
 

If you are seeking expertise on other subjects, please call University Media Relations at 512-471-3151 or consult our general Media Experts Guide.



Midterm Elections


Richard P Bixler

Richard P Bixler

Assistant Professor , Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs
+1 512 471 3988, rpbixler@utexas.edu

Bixler can discuss: 

  • Local and national turnout rates 
  • Civic engagement
  • Demographic political participation 
Cell: 806-407-0115
*Available more or less until Nov. 7

Media Contact: Tori Yu, victoriajyu@austin.utexas.edu, 512-232-4054

Joshua M Blank

Joshua M Blank

Director of Research for the Texas Politics Project , College of Liberal Arts
+1 512 471 0371, joshmblank@austin.utexas.edu

Blank can discuss:

  • Texas politics
  • Texas public opinion
  • Polling 
  • UT/Texas Tribune Poll

Media Contact: Daniel Oppenheimer, oppenheimer@utexas.edu, 512-475-9712

Victoria M Defrancesco

Victoria M Defrancesco

Senior Lecturer , Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs
, vmdsoto@austin.utexas.edu

DeFrancesco Soto can discuss:

  • Latinx voter turnout
  • Women and politics
  • Campaigns and elections

Media Contact: Tori Yu, victoriajyu@austin.utexas.edu, 512-232-4054

Sherri R Greenberg

Sherri R Greenberg

Assistant Dean , Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs
+1 512 471 8324, +1 512 656 6592, srgreenberg@austin.utexas.edu

Greenberg can discuss:

  • Voting turnout and civic engagement
  • Polls
  • Certain issues affecting elections such as: housing, health & transportation
  • Texas campaigns and elections
Cell: 512-656-6592
*Available on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - noon and Thursdays from 9 a.m. - noon 

Media Contact: Tori Yu, victoriajyu@austin.utexas.edu, 512-232-4054

James R Henson

James R Henson

Executive Director of Texas Politics Project , Texas Politics Project
+1 512 471 0090, j.henson@austin.utexas.edu

Henson can discuss:

  • Texas politics
  • Internet and politics
  • Texas campaigns and elections 
  • presidential elections and political campaigns
  • UT/Texas Tribune poll

Susan T Nold

Susan T Nold

Senior Lecturer , Department of Communication Studies , Moody College of Communication
, susan.nold@austin.utexas.edu

Nold can discuss:

  • Voting trends 
  • Civic engagement and education
  • Young and first-time voter turnout

Media Contact: Mary Huber, mary.huber@austin.utexas.edu, 409-790-6902

Brian E Roberts

Brian E Roberts

Professor , Department of Government , College of Liberal Arts
+1 512 232 6582, +1 512 232 7243, roberts@utexas.edu

Roberts can discuss: 

  • Campaign finance 
*Asks that reporters email him first with callback number. 

Media Contact: Daniel Oppenheimer, oppenheimer@utexas.edu, 512-475-9712

Daron R Shaw

Daron R Shaw

Professor , Department of Government , College of Liberal Arts
+1 512 232 7275, dshaw@austin.utexas.edu

Shaw can discuss:

  • Public opinion and voter behavior
  • Campaigns and elections
  • Polls and surveys research
  • American politics
  • UT/Texas Tribune Poll

Media Contact: Daniel Oppenheimer, oppenheimer@utexas.edu, 512-475-9712

Paul J Stekler

Paul J Stekler

Professor Emeritus , Department of Radio-Television-Film , Moody College of Communication
, paul.stekler@austin.utexas.edu

Stekler can discuss:

  • Will the explosion of social media-based campaigning overwhelm traditional TV and drive turnout?
  • What will the election results do the parties afterwards, shifting them right, left?
  • What’s the importance of Cruz v. O’Rourke for the future of Texas politics – and for the down ballot races?
Cell: 512-560-2851
*More or less available. 

Media Contact: Mary Huber, mary.huber@austin.utexas.edu, 409-790-6902

Jeremi  Suri

Jeremi Suri

Professor , Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs
+1 512 475 7242, suri@austin.utexas.edu

Suri can discuss: 

  • How this election is a historical turning point for the future of our democracy
  • Why the millennial generation vote will matter more than ever
  • Why the Democratic party will have more power after this election
Cell: 608-213-3552 
*Available on cell at most times.

Media Contact: Tori Yu, victoriajyu@austin.utexas.edu, 512-232-4054

Sean M Theriault

Sean M Theriault

University Distinguished Teaching Professor , Department of Government , College of Liberal Arts
+1 512 232 7279, seant@mail.utexas.edu

Theriault can discuss:

  • Congress
  • Polarization
  • Youth participation
Cell: 831-721-3991

Media Contact: Daniel Oppenheimer, oppenheimer@utexas.edu, 512-475-9712

Christopher  Wlezien

Christopher Wlezien

Professor , Department of Government , College of Liberal Arts
+1 512 232 7236, wlezien@austin.utexas.edu

Wlezien can discuss:

  • Public opinion
  • Public policy
  • Political institutions 

Media Contact: Daniel Oppenheimer, oppenheimer@utexas.edu, 512-475-9712

For more information, contact: University Communications, Office of the President, 512-471-3151.