Welcome. I am the Robert Lee Madison Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Public Affairs and Director of the Haire Institute for Public Policy at Western Carolina University. I previously served as department head from 2011-2021, and MPA Director from 2005-2010. My research and teaching focuses on American politics with an emphasis on elections & voting, state & local politics,, southern politics., and North Carolina politics.
My most recent book is, Anatomy of a Purple State and I’ve published widely on my areas of interest in a variety of journals—mostly within by home discipline of Political Science, but my work has also appeared in public administration, sociology, and psychology journals.
I am committed to public-facing Political Science and I enjoy speaking with journalists, writing for popular media, and talking with community groups about my areas of expertise. I have been quoted in a variety of outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, BBC, and NPR. I have also served as an expert witness for voting rights and elections cases, serve on the Steering Committee for the Commission on the Future of Elections in North Carolina, was a co-author on the 2024 NC Civic Index, am the current President of the NC Political Science Association, am on the editorial team at the Journal of Election Administration Research and Practice, and serve in various and sundry related positions. Drop me a note if you have any questions.
