University of Wisconsin-Madison
09/03/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/03/2024 09:47
New State Democracy Research Initiative, election experts and more from UW–Madison
Experts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison are available to provide an on-the-ground look at Wisconsin politics and provide analysis and commentary about national and state races, polling, debates and the key issues driving voters. In addition, UW-Madison's new State Democracy Research Initiative is working to advance research and dialogue on state-level democracy, government institutions, and public law across the nation.
New resource: State Democracy Research Initiative
The State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) seeks to advance research and dialogue on state-level democracy, government institutions and public law across the nation. By focusing on the states, which traditionally receive less attention than the federal government in legal circles, the Initiative serves as a much-needed resource for academics, courts, policymakers, advocates and the public.
The University of Wisconsin Law School's State Democracy Research Initiative is a nonpartisan project that produces and shares unbiased research and analysis on issues related to state-level democracy. SDRI also seeks to foster constructive dialogue on such issues by hosting events that feature a range of voices and ideological perspectives. SDRI does not participate in litigation beyond filing amicus briefs on behalf of legal scholars, and it does not endorse or advocate for any political party or candidate.
Contact: [email protected]
SDRI Experts:
>Derek Clinger is a senior staff attorney for SDRI. Clinger specializes in Arizona, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. He can discuss election administration and voting requirements, election-related litigation in state courts, and ballot measures.
Contact: [email protected]
Bryna Godar is a staff attorney at SDRI. She specializes in New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Topics for Godar include Wisconsin election issues and litigation, Wisconsin litigation surrounding the distribution of power between state governmental branches, Wisconsin state constitutional law issues and state court issues involving judicial selection and accountability.
Contact: [email protected]
Emily Lau is a staff attorney at SDRI. Her areas of research include North Carolina, Montana and Wisconsin. She can discuss voter-suppression litigation and state constitutions.
Contact: [email protected]
Adam Sopko is a staff attorney for SDRI. He studies New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Topic areas for Sopko include state constitutional law, state and federal courts, and political and election law.
Contact: [email protected]
New election experts
Andrene Wright is an assistant professor of African American Studies. Wright is available for interviews about urban politics and Black political behavior.
Contact: [email protected]
Morgan Edwards is assistant professor at the La Follette School of Public Affairs and an expert on climate policy and fossil fuel phaseout.
Contact: [email protected]
Ben Marquez studies I study Latino/a/x political organizations with an emphasis on Mexican American politics and is a professor of American Politics.
Contact: [email protected]
Steven Wright is an expert on the Voting Rights Act and election law. Wright is a clinical professor at the Wisconsin School of Law.
Contact: [email protected]
J. Michael Collins, director of the Center for Financial Security, can discuss new WisconSays data that shows rural areas of Wisconsin are struggling economically. Collins can also discuss household finances in general.
Contact: [email protected]
Steven Deller is an economist and community development specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics. Deller is available for analysis and perspective on the Wisconsin economy and regional economic growth.
Contact: [email protected]
Menzie Chinn is an economist at the La Follette School of Public Affairs. He is available to comment on inflation, the Wisconsin and national economy, interest rates and fiscal policy.
Contact: [email protected]
Core election experts
Barry Burden is a professor of political science and director of the Elections Research Center. Burden can discuss swing states in the Electoral College, voter turnout, politics of Wisconsin, political advertising and public perception of political parties.
Contact: [email protected]
Allison Prasch is an associate professor of rhetoric, politics and culture in the Department of Communication Arts. She is available for interviews about aging and the presidency, presidential rhetoric, the Cold War and geopolitics.
Contact: [email protected]
Michael Wagner is a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Wagner can discuss elections, media, American politics, political communication and public opinion.
Contact:[email protected]"> [email protected]
Other resources
An on-campus studio is available for live and taped shoots with UW-Madison experts.
Contact: Amy Gill, [email protected]; Peter Kleppin, [email protected]
More experts on news and current events can be found on the UW-Madison Experts Database.