As you continue your coverage of the Texas gubernatorial race, which will include debates between Wendy Davis and Greg Abbott Sept. 19 and 30; the lieutenant governor race, which will include a debate between Dan Patrick and Leticia Van de Putte on Sept. 27; and other state and Congressional races, consider these University of North Texas faculty members who will provide analysis and discuss a variety of topics.

Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha, an 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."

Phone: 940-565-2329
E-mail: mes@unt.edu

Kimi King, associate professor of political science, focuses on institutional powers and equal protection, civil rights and civil liberties, and criminal procedure and will discuss these topics in regard to candidates.

Office phone: 940-565-4984
Cell phone: 940-597-4802
E-mail: kking@unt.edu

Brian Lain, associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies and UNT's director of debate, will discuss rhetorical criticism and theory and the politics of representation in reviewing the Texas gubernatorial and lieutenant governor races. He plans to watch both of Davis' and Abbot's debates. Quotes from him about the lieutenant governor race are online here and here. 
Cell phone number: 940-453-2359
Email: blain@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 will do interviews in Spanish. Quotes from her about Latino voters are online here and here. 

Office phone: 940-565-2327
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

Gwen Nisbett, an assistant professor of strategic communications in the Mayborn School of Journalism, will provide insight into public relations that goes on behind of the scenes of an election. Before starting an academic career, she worked in campaign politics, working in political strategic communication at the national, statewide and local levels. Her research interests include mediated social influence, non-traditional platforms for strategic political public relations, and political humor.

E-mail (preferred): gwen.nisbett@unt.edu
Phone: 405-397-1776

Elizabeth Oldmixon, associate professor of political science, will discuss the U.S. House of Representatives elections, which will be held this November for all 435 seats. She teaches courses on Congress and religion and politics, and is the author of Uncompromising Positions: God, Sex and the U.S. House of Representatives. She was previously the chairman of the American Political Science Association Religion and Politics section, and currently serves on the editorial board for Politics and Religion.

Office phone: 940-565-4761
E-mail: Elizabeth.oldmixon@unt.edu