A Hotly Contested Mayor's Race, Reliability of Voting Machines, Voter Turnout: How Might These Impact the Upcoming Election? Pitt Professors Are Available to Comment

PITTSBURGH—A hotly contested mayor's race, voter turnout, and the reliability of voting machines are just a few of the topics the following University of Pittsburgh professors can address.

Susan Hansen

A professor of political science in the School of Arts and Sciences, with joint appointments in Women's Studies and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Hansen has expertise in American politics, economic policy, taxation, state and local politics, and women and politics, including state policies affecting women and the impact of women in public office. She can comment on voter turnout and the reliability of the voting machines.

Hansen has written numerous articles in academic journals, including "Explaining the 'Brain Drain' From Older Industrial Cities: The Pittsburgh Region," with Leonard Huggins and Carolyn Ban, in "Economic Development Quarterly" (2003); "Governors' Job Performance Ratings and State Unemployment: The Case of California," in "State and Local Government Review" (Winter 1999); "State Implementation of Supreme Court Decisions: Abortion Rates Since Roe v. Wade," in "Journal of Politics" (May 1980); and "The Supreme Court, the States, and Social Change: The Case of Abortion," in "Journal of Peace and Change" (Fall 1980). A forthcoming book, "The Low-Wage Strategy for State Economic Development" (Georgetown University Press), analyzes the impact of economic policy choices and labor regulations on adaptation to globalization in the 50 states since 1970. Hansen may be reached at 412-648-7272 (office), 412-661-5666 (home), or sbhansen@pitt.edu; or through Trish White at 412-624-9101 (office), 412-215-9932 (cell), or laer@pitt.edu.

Gerald R. Shuster

Shuster teaches presidential rhetoric and political communication in Pitt's Department of Communication in the School of Arts and Sciences. He can comment on the local and statewide elections.

Shuster has taught at the University of Pittsburgh for more than 20 years. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and he earned his doctorate in communications, with a special focus on political rhetoric, at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a regular contributor to the media on political issues, elections, and candidates. Shuster may be reached at 412-624-5199 (office), 724-664-3258 (cell), 724-543-2246 (home), or ges3@pitt.edu; or through Trish White at 412-624-9101 (office), 412-215-9932 (cell), or laer@pitt.edu.

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