Rackaway

Chapman Rackaway

Professor and Chair of of Political Science, Radford University
Chapter Member: Virginia SSN
Areas of Expertise:

About Chapman

Rackaway believes that students can harness the power of state and local government to be leaders from the very start. Rackaway's research interests include state and local political parties and legislative elections, internet media and political communication, primary elections, and their intersection with republican democracy in the 21st Century. Rackaway is also very active in civic engagement, as a national Civic Fellow for AASCU's American Democracy Project.

Contributions

Evidence That Photo Identification and Proof-of-Citizenship Laws Lower Voter Turnout

  • Kevin R. Anderson
  • Chapman Rackaway

In the News

Chapman Rackaway quoted on Congressional insider trading scandal by Francesca Chambers and Emma Dumain, "Georgia Senator’s Stock Sales Could Cause Trouble for Republicans in Special Election" The Sun Herald, March 27, 2020.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on public support for the Republican health care bill by Editorial Board, "Moran Should Resist the Senate Health Bill" Topeka-Capital Journal, July 15, 2017.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on dissatisfaction with Trump among the GOP by Bryan Lowry, "Poll: Trump Leads Clinton by 8 Percentage Points in Kansas" Wichita Eagle, October 30, 2016.
"Direct Primary is an Antidemocratic Disaster," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, February 26, 2016.
"Resolve to Have Better Political Year in Kansas," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, January 15, 2016.
"‘Safe Space’ Contrary to Mission of Universities," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, December 4, 2015.
"Political Pendulum Ready to Swing back in Kansas?," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, October 23, 2015.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on a moderate comeback in the Kansas Legislature by Edward M. Eveld, "It's a Season of Political Discontent for Kansas Moderates. But Can They Gear Up for a Fight?" Kansas City Star, October 5, 2015.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on new Republican leadership by Jason Hancock, "Rep. Tim Huelskamp: Boehner’s Resignation ‘Victory for the American People’" Kansas City Star, September 25, 2015.
"Legislature Wants to Weaken Judiciary," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, September 11, 2015.
"Legislative Session Like Disaster Movie," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, June 19, 2015.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on job trends in Kansas by Elle Moxley, "Kansas Sees 'OK' Job Growth as Unemployment Rises" KCUR Public Radio, June 19, 2015.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on finding support for Democrats in Kansas by Bryan Lowry, "After Tax Increase Vote, Michael O'Donnell May be Vulnerable in 2016" Wichita Eagle, June 17, 2015.
"Louisiana is a Cautionary Tale," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, May 15, 2015.
Guest to discuss increasing property tax on farmers on KAKE News, Chapman Rackaway, May 3, 2015.
"Western Kansas in the Crosshairs," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, April 11, 2015.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on Rural Opportunity Zone effectiveness by Jonathan Shorman, "Brownback Standing by Rural Incentives Program after Lawmaker Skepticism" Topeka Capital-Journal, March 8, 2015.
"The Spirit of 1787," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, March 5, 2015.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on bill prohibiting higher education employees from using official title when authoring or contributing to an OpEd by Peter Hancock, "State Rep. Peck Takes on Critics in Debate over University Professor Columns" Lawrence Journal-World, February 18, 2015.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on a bill that would prohibit employees of Kansas universities and colleges from using their official job titles in opinion pieces, "Editorial: Legislators Shouldn't Try to Intimidate Professors" Capital-Journal, February 7, 2015.
"Myth of the Monolith," Chapman Rackaway, Wichita Eagle, January 31, 2015.
Chapman Rackaway quoted on Republicans in the Kansas Legislature by Peter Hancock, "Conservatives Hold Significant Power as 2015 Session Begins" Lawrence Journal-World, January 11, 2015.
"The Choices on Our Ballots are Limiting," Chapman Rackaway, The Wichita Eagle, September 12, 2014.
"Davis Dodging the Tax Question," Chapman Rackaway, The Wichita Eagle, July 6, 2014.
Regular contributions by Chapman Rackaway to Insight Kansas.

Publications

"Democratizing Information: Web 2.0 Tools in Civic Engagement," (with Carolyn Campbell), in Civic Engagement for Southern Universities, edited by Michael Rogers and Donald M. Gooch (Lexington Press, forthcoming).
Discusses the example of Fort Hays State University, which has been a significant leader of civic engagement for many years. There is no shortage of civic leadership both in and out of the classrooms, and technological advancements have led to an increase in Web 2.0. Both students and instructors take advantage of media tools on a daily basis in an effort to become better informed civic leaders or engagement, and this article shows how the university has implemented a social media and online communication tool strategy to build civic learning and engagement among students.
"State Voting Laws in America: Historical Statutes and Their Modern Implications" (with Kevin Anderson) (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014).
Examines state voting laws throughout U.S. history and their impact on voter turnout; discusses contemporary challenges to the voting process including laws complicating voter registration, photo ID and birth certificate requirements, limits on early voting, and restoration of voting rights after a felony conviction.
"Communicating Politics Online " (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014).
Examines how the shift to an online world has drastically changed political communication; argues that technology has disrupted political communication by making the speed of messages faster, creating a social environment that allows for mobile creation and consumption of content by discussing producers of news and the consumers receiving it, how campaigns communicate with voters and how elected officials connect with constituents; also shows how every actor involved in the political world, from the President to the everyday voter, has to rethink the process and strategy of political communication.
"Soccer Moms, Hockey Moms, and National Security Moms: Reality versus Fiction in the Female Voter," in Women and the White House, edited by Lilly Goren and Justin Vaughn (University of Kentucky Press, 2012).
Examines the gap that exists between men and women in political participation; argues that this so-called gender gap, the difference in percentage of women and men who support a particular candidate or party, is largely a reflection of gender role differences and how American politics explores and magnifies gender differences.
"The 5P Rule," in Inside Political Campaigns: Chronicles – and Lessons – from the Trenches, edited by James Bowers and Steven Daniels (Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2009).
Draws on the experiences of political scientists who have played such key roles as campaign managers, consultants, media advisers, and even candidates; offers first-hand accounts of races run at the local, state, and national levels reveal the many complex facets of the modern electoral process; highlighting lessons learned and provides a unique introduction to both the study and the execution of political campaigns.