I am currently teaching faculty at the University of South Carolina, Department of Political Science and founder of the Digital Campaigns Project (DCP). Previously I was a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow. I received my PhD from Cornell University.
My research explores the limits of the growing animosity between Democratic and Republican politicians associated with partisan polarization by examining bipartisan cooperation between federal and state agents. Specifically, I explore partisan rhetoric at different levels of government, with a focus on the President, members of Congress, and state legislators. Conventional wisdom suggests that national partisan division and the nationalization of politics will produce consistent polarization across institutions. My research explores inconsistencies, with the goal of identifying mechanisms for undermining polarization. I argue that the mechanisms inherent in America’s federated institutions can challenge national partisan polarization by creating avenues for effective bipartisan governance and enduring policy. |