Sign In or Use Email

Jim Twombly, Ph.D.

Elmira College
From Bethpage, NY
PhD & Emeritus Professor of political science taught a variety of courses in American politics. Provide expert commentary and analysis for local media (WENY-TV). Advised clubs on campus: College Democrats, A1 and the Sauce (male a cappella) - neither is currently active. Regular presenter at Political Science conferences, author of numerous journal articles, and five books - The Progression of the American Presidency (Palgrave 2013); Political Scandal and American Pop Culture: Sex, Power, and Cover-Ups (Palgrave 2018); Directing the Whirlwind: The Trump Presidency and the Deconstruction of the Administrative State, with Lisa Parshall (Peter Lang USA, October 2020); The Preamble as Policy: A Guidebook to Governance and Civic Duty (with Robert Irons, July 17, 2021); Directing the Whirlwind: Deconstruction, Distrust, and the Future of American Democracy (with Lisa Parshall, published December 15, 2022); and Political Scandal and American Pop Culture: Sex, Power, and Cover-Ups (Palgrave 2024) Specialties: American political institutions and political economy Parliamentary procedure Extensive lay knowledge of New York State Election Law Developed campaign strategies and message Designed campaign literature and produced radio and TV ads. Vice President of the New York State Political Science Association (NYSPSA), since 2019.
Follow Jim

Elmira College
Hofstra University
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
SUNY University at Stony Brook
Bethpage Senior High School

Jim Twombly Elected Vice President Of The New York State Political Science Association

Dr. Jim Twombly, Professor of Political Science at Elmira College, was recently re-elected to a third consecutive term as Vice President of the New York State Political Science Association. Twombly has been a regular presenter at the Association's ann...

May, 26 2022 - Verified by Elmira College
Twombly Delivers Paper on Rising Dissents on Presidential Cabinet Nominees

On November 13, 2021, Dr. Jim Twombly, Professor of Political Science at Elmira College, presented his latest research into the dynamics of votes in the U.S. Senate on presidential appointments to ...

November, 16 2021 - Verified by Elmira College
EC Hosts Virtual State Association Conference

Elmira College recently hosted the virtual New York State Political Science Association annual conference. The conference included a welcome address from EC President Charles Lindsay and a keynote address from New York State Lieutenant Governor, Kathy ...

May, 20 2021 - Verified by Elmira College
Show More
Latest Book by Dr. Jim Twombly Released

The latest book by Dr. Jim Twombly, professor of political science at Elmira College, was recently released by Peter Lang USA Publishing. The book, "Directing the Whirlwind: The Trump Presidency and the Deconstruction of the Administrative State," was...

November, 16 2020 - Verified by Elmira College
Twombly Elected as New York State Political Science Association Vice President

Recently Professor of Political Science, Dr. Jim Twombly, was elected as the new vice president for the New York State Political Science Association (NYSPSA). Twombly was elected by NYSPSA's executive board at their May 1 meeting, with his term set to...

May, 21 2020 - Verified by Elmira College
2019 Malcolm and Virginia Marsden Award Presented

The 2019 Malcolm and Virginia Marsden Endowed Fund Award has been presented to Dr. Heidi Dierckx, professor of classical civilizations, Dr. Christopher Terry, associate professor of psychology, and Dr. Jim Twombly, professor of political Science. ...

May, 10 2019 - Verified by Elmira College
Show More
Twombly Presents Paper on Presidential Approval

Dr. Jim Twombly, professor of political science and social and behavioral science division chair, recently returned from the 50th Annual Northeastern Political Science Association annual meeting in Montreal, Canada, where he presented a paper entitled,...

December, 03 2018 - Verified by Elmira College
Twombly Publishes Book on Pop Culture, Political Scandal

Dr. Jim Twombly, professor of political science and division chair of the social and behavioral sciences, recently published a new book through Palgrave Macmillan. The book, titled, Political Scandal and American Pop Culture: Sex, Power, and Cover-ups,...

November, 12 2018 - Verified by Elmira College
Jim Twombly, Ph.D. was recognized for earning an academic award
Faculty of the Year, Elmira College Student Association
Winter 2006 - Added by Jim
Jim Twombly, Ph.D. was recognized for graduating
Ph D in Political Science from Stony Brook University (SUNY)
Spring 1992 - Added by Jim
Jim Twombly, Ph.D. was recognized for graduating
MA in Public Affairs from Stony Brook University (SUNY)
Fall 1986 - Added by Jim
Show More
Jim Twombly, Ph.D. was recognized for graduating
BA in Political Science from Slippery Rock University
Summer 1980 - Added by Jim
A1 and the Sauce
Male a cappella group - currently inactive
Spring 2012 - Elmira College Faculty
Added by Jim
College Democrats
Club is now inactive
Fall 2005 - Elmira College Faculty
Added by Jim
New York State Political Science Association (NYSPSA)
Vice President - elected May 1, 2020, term begins July 1 for the 2020-21 Academic Year. Also Co-Program Chair with Dr. Josh Meddaugh for the NYSPSA 2021 Annual Meeting at Elmira College (April 23 & 24, 2021).
Elmira College Faculty
Added by Jim
Professor of Political Science at Elmira College

Granted rank of Professor Emeritus, November 4, 2023. RETIRED as of July 1, 2023. Taught a wide range of courses in American politics, political thought, and the College's Core programs. Served on the Faculty Review Committee and have served on the Faculty Development Committee. Have provided numerous interviews on the political process to local media (TV and newspapers). Advise the Elmira College Democrats and Co-advise Pi Gamma Mu - the social science honor society.

August 2005 - June 2023
Coordinator of Special Projects at New York State Assembly, Tom DiNapoli

Research and writing "white paper" reports on key policies of interest to then Assemblyman DiNapoli

November 2004 - January 2005
Assistant Professor of Political Science at University at Buffalo (UB)

Teaching graduate and undergraduate classes, research, and service.

August 1990 - July 2003
Political Scandal and American Pop Culture: Sex, Power, and Cover-ups, 2nd ed.
This book provides a newer definition of political scandal and applies it in a way to remove “ordinary corruption” from the discussion. It then defines pop culture and examines how scandal and pop culture interact. The discussion addresses the question: when does a scandal actually enter into our pop culture. The mechanisms or vehicles by which this occurs include editorial cartoons, Broadway shows, music, movies, television, and more. The first chapter lays out the two main definitions and gives a bit of historical background to the discussion that follows. This new edition builds on the previous book with analysis of January 6th, George Santos, allegations of election fraud, and Rudy Giuliani. This book works well as a supplement in a course on American Government, in American Studies, and is aimed at a wide range of readers from college freshmen to more advanced scholars and political junkies.
July 2024 - Publications
Directing the Whirlwind: Deconstruction, Distrust, and the Future of American Democracy
Donald J. Trump ran on a platform that, among other things, promised to "drain the swamp" that is Washington, DC. Part of that draining would entail what his chief strategist, Steve Bannon, would call "the deconstruction of the administrative state." Set in the political environment of 2020, with a raging pandemic and nationwide protests, this work examines the philosophy that guides the Trump Administration’s approach and the mechanisms by which it seeks to accomplish the deconstruction. By combining journalistic accounts with presidential and public administration scholarship, the book raises questions about the impact of Trump’s approach on the future of public administration. As such, this work makes a strong contribution to public administration and presidential studies and casts a scholarly light on treatments of Trump’s contribution to governance and politics. This new edition brings the narrative up to date and speculates about the future of the administrative state and our democracy in the aftermath of January 6th under the new Biden Administration and future presidents. "A powerful defense of the administrative state and equally powerful indictment of the attempts of Donald Trump and his ilk to deconstruct it. The growing threats to our democracy go beyond the malignant acts of courts, state legislatures, and Congress. To overlook the administrative branch is to miss a large piece of the danger we face as a nation."—Thomas E. Patterson, Bradlee Professor of Government & the Press, Harvard University "President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented assault on American federal government. This book provides a thorough assessment of how that assault proceeded and the dangers it posed. This is an essential guide for scholars in public administration and political science, as well as students of American history."—Alasdair Roberts, Professor of Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst.
December 2022 - Publications
The Preamble as Polcy: A Guidebook to Governance and Civic Duty
In The Preamble as Policy: A Social and Economic Analysis of the Preamble to the Constitution the authors show that the Preamble to the Constitution is more than an introduction to the document, but sets the tone for the rest of the document and how it should be viewed and interpreted. It is also a list of goals for a new government and a tool for holding our elected representatives accountable for their efforts on our behalf. The Preamble as Policy looks at the history of the development of the Constitution to show how the Preamble can be used to judge the laws and policies enacted by the federal government. The Preamble as Policy weaves political thought, history, and current events together allowing for examination of an oft forgotten part of the Constitution. It provides a unique framework and firm foundation for class discussions or social interactions about what we have achieved as a nation and where we might have come up short.
August 2021 - Publications
Show More
Directing the Whirlwind: The Trump Presidency and the Deconstruction of the Administrative State
Donald J. Trump ran on a platform that, among other things, promised to “drain the swamp” that is Washington, DC. Part of that draining would entail what his chief strategist, Steve Bannon, would call “the deconstruction of the administrative state.” Set in the political environment of 2020, with a raging pandemic and nationwide protests, this work examines the philosophy that guides the Trump Administration’s approach and the mechanisms by which it seeks to accomplish the deconstruction. By combining journalistic accounts with presidential and public administration scholarship, the book raises questions about the impact of Trump’s approach on the future of public administration. As such, this work makes a strong contribution to public administration and presidential studies and casts a scholarly light on treatments of Trump’s contribution to governance and politics. With Lisa Parshall, available now from Peter Lang USA.
October 2020 - Publications
Political Scandal and American Pop Culture: Sex, Power, and Cover-Ups
This book provides a newer definition of political scandal and applies it in a way to remove “ordinary corruption” from the discussion. It then defines pop culture and examines how scandal and pop culture interact. The discussion addresses the question: when does a scandal actually enter into our pop culture. The mechanisms or vehicles by which this occurs include editorial cartoons, Broadway shows, music, movies, television, and more. The first chapter lays out the two main definitions and gives a bit of historical background to the discussion that follows. Chapters 2 through 8 deal with scandals from Watergate to the Trump Administration and from presidents to members of Congress and governors. Chapter 9 ties all of the previous discussion together and makes an assessment of the contemporary state of scandal and pop culture. This book works well as a supplement in a course on American Government, in American Studies, and is aimed at a wide range of readers from college freshmen to more advanced scholars and political junkies.
October 2018 - Publications
The Progression of the American Presidency: Individuals, Empire, and Change
The contemporary presidency, and the nation it governs, is more dependent on the individual in office than ever before. The Progression of the American Presidency examines in detail the institution of the American presidency from the selection process, to the president's individual responsibilities, to his interactions with other actors in the political arena. Twombly argues that regardless of how well suited a particular individual may be for a specific time in office, he or she will leave an indelible imprint on the office for those who follow. Each successful president changed the institution in which he served by expanding its scope and power and raising the bar of public (and historical) expectations. Both scholarly and conversational, The Progression of the American Presidency is essential reading for anyone interested in the evolving state of the Oval Office.
February 2013 - Publications
Resume
Curriculum Vitae - Jim Twombly

Achievement

© Copyright 2025 • Merit Pages, Inc. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy