“Even former Gov. Charlie Baker, who nabbed the title of America’s most popular governor more than once, struggled with transportation — a UMass Amherst / WCVB Poll last year found that 57% of registered voters thought Healey’s predecessor handled transportation and transit “not too well” or “not well at all” (Boston.com 11/17/23)

Paul Musgrave, Professor of Political Science, penned an analysis of the Nov. 8 Republican presidential debate, noting differences and agreements between "the hawks and the isolationists." "This degree of intraparty division about the purpose of foreign policy is reminiscent of earlier eras," writes Musgrave, highlighting transformative historic events. "The Debate Reveals a Brutal Reality About Republican Foreign Policy - The party is headed toward a belligerent place, no matter who wins the nomination". (Politico, 11/09/23)

Legal Studies Lecturer and practicing attorney Maria Puppolo was recognized last week as one of the Top Women in Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, for the work she does with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, where she assists recently incarcerated individuals with housing and employment programs. Congratulations Professor Puppolo! We are proud that you are part of the Legal Studies Major. 

A 2022 UMass Poll measuring voters’ belief in the “great replacement” theory is cited in an article laying out former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley’s potential path to the Republican presidential nomination. The poll found that two-thirds of Republicans endorse some form of the tenets of the theory, which claims that the growth in the number of immigrants in the U.S. means the country is in danger of losing its culture and identity. (The Hill, 10/23/23; News Office release)