Press Room

Communication Scholars Available to Discuss February Democratic Presidential Primary Debate

January 30, 2020
Experts Available
Political

The next Democratic presidential primary debate will be the first of three this month in early primary states. The National Communication Association can put reporters in touch with leading Communication scholars who specialize in presidential debates, religion and politics, and women in politics. These experts are well-equipped to address a variety of questions about the debate and the Democratic primary including: 

  • Can any of the candidates appeal to voters who previously voted for Trump?
  • What challenges do candidates face in early primary states? 
  • Do the women in the race face unique challenges? 
  • What issues are motivating voters in early states? 

Who

Joshua Bolton
Assistant Professor of Public Relations, Loras College 

Dr. Bolton researches political communication and political campaigns. Dr. Bolton’s recent research focuses on party and candidate branding. Dr. Bolton has authored peer-reviewed journal articles on presidential primary debates, presidential nominating conventions, and political advertising. 

Stephanie A. Martin 
Assistant Professor in the Department of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Southern Methodist University 

Dr. Martin studies public address and political communication. Dr. Martin is particularly interested in the rhetoric of conservative social movements; for example, why stories of American exceptionalism appeal to evangelical voters. Dr. Martin previously worked in journalism and business-to-business communication. 

Kelly Winfrey
Assistant Professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, Iowa State University

Dr. Winfrey’s research focuses on political communication and gender. Dr. Winfrey has published research on women as political candidates, women voters, and campaign communication. Dr. Winfrey also serves as the coordinator for research and outreach at the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics. 

Contact

To schedule an interview with any of these experts, please contact Grace Hébert at ghebert@natcom.org or 202-534-1104.

About the National Communication Association

The National Communication Association (NCA) advances Communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media, and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry. NCA serves the scholars, teachers, and practitioners who are its members by enabling and supporting their professional interests in research and teaching. Dedicated to fostering and promoting free and ethical communication, NCA promotes the widespread appreciation of the importance of communication in public and private life, the application of competent communication to improve the quality of human life and relationships, and the use of knowledge about communication to solve human problems. NCA supports inclusiveness and diversity among our faculties, within our membership, in the workplace, and in the classroom; NCA supports and promotes policies that fairly encourage this diversity and inclusion. 

For more information, visit natcom.org, follow us on Twitter at @natcomm, and find us on Facebook.