Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is expected to formally announce his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination this Thursday (June 4), joining an increasingly crowded field of Republican candidates. Perry, whose first presidential run in 2012 ended quickly, is expected to make Iowa a central component to his campaign after visiting the state 14 times.
The following University of North Texas political scientists are available for media interviews about Perry and other declared and possible presidential candidates.
Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha, associate professor in the UNT Department of Political Science, researches American political institutions and public policy. He is the co-author of Breaking Through the Noise: Presidential Leadership, Public Opinion and the News Media and The President's Speeches: Beyond "Going Public." He has discussed Perry for the Associated Press, Dallas Morning News, Governing magazine, San Francisco Chronicle and Scripps Howard News Service, among other media outlets, and appeared often on NPR to discuss presidential races.
Phone: 940-565-2329
E-mail: mes@unt.edu
Valerie Martinez-Ebers is a professor of political science and co-editor of the American Political Science Review. Her areas of expertise include race, ethnicity and Latino politics, including immigration policy analysis and program evaluation; the impact of migration into the heartland of the United State; the rise of Latino voters and the role of Hispanic legislators. She has been interviewed about Perry and other candidates by ABC News Radio, Dallas Morning News, and NBC Latino, among other media outlets.
Cell phone: 940-390-2304
E-mail: valmartinez@unt.edu
James E. Mueller is a professor of journalism in UNT's Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. He will discuss communication used by the political candidates, particularly communication with members of the news media and press conferences.
Mueller is the author of Towel Snapping the Press: Bush's Journey from Locker-Room Antics to Message Control, which compares George W. Bush's press relations to those of other presidents and Tag Teaming the Press: How Bill and Hillary Clinton Work Together to Handle the Media, which traces the Clintons' press relations through Bill's terms as Arkansas governor and U.S. president and Hillary's run for the White House.
Phone: 940-368-3528
E-mail: jmueller@unt.edu
Philip Paolino, associate professor of political science, will discuss candidates' performance, voters' perceptions of candidate viability, voting patterns, political psychology and political participation during election season. He has published articles in a number of scholarly journals, including American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science and Political Analysis.
Office phone: 940-565-2315
Home phone: 703-310-7162
E-mail: paolino@unt.edu