Jim Riddlesperger

Professor Texas Christian University

  • Fort Worth TX

Professor Riddlesperger focuses on American politics, with emphasis in the presidency, Congress, and Texas politics

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Do you have your experts lined up for November 03? Let TCU help with your Texas and cross-country election day coverage

It’s finally here. The campaigns are on their final push and as of Tuesday night – the results will start rolling in. This has been one of the most unique elections in modern history. A divisive and bitter campaign fought during a global health crisis. Texas, which has 38 electoral college votes, second only to California in number – may be in play. Though Texas has not swung blue since 1976, Tuesday night a lot of eyes will be watching Texas to see what role it takes in deciding the outcome of the election. If you are a reporter covering the election in Texas, the key issues in the state and what motivates it to vote for either candidate – then let our experts help. Jim Riddlesperger is professor of Political Science at TCU and focuses on American politics, with emphasis in the presidency, Congress, and Texas politics. Professor Adam Schiffer writes and speaks on media bias, presidential nomination contests, political news, elections, and public opinion. Both are available to speak with media – simply click on either expert’s icon to book an interview today.

Jim RiddlespergerAdam Schiffer

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Biography

James W. Riddlesperger, Jr. (B.A., M.A., North Texas State University; Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia) is Professor of Political Science at Texas Christian University. A native of Denton, Texas, he has taught at TCU since 1982. His interest is in American politics, with emphasis in the presidency, Congress, and Texas politics. He is co-author of Texas Politics (14th edition, Cengage, 2022), Lone Star Leaders (2011, TCU), and The Austin-Boston Connection (2009, Texas A&M Press). He co-edited Reflections on Rayburn, (2018, TCU Press), Considering American Government: A Reader (2nd edition, 2020, Kendall Hunt), The Wright Stuff (2013, TCU Press), Presidential Leadership and Civil Rights Policy (Greenwood, 1995), and Special Focus: Balance of Power between Congress and the President (New York: College Board, 2008). He has published articles in the Journal of Politics, Social Science Quarterly, Social Science Journal, Judicature, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Presidential Studies Quarterly, and Congress and the Presidency among others as well as numerous chapters in edited books. He has been named the winner of the Chancellor’s Award for Creative Teaching and Research and Honors Professor of the year at TCU. A frequent consultant to national, state, and local news media concerning politics and elections, he speaks to many civic and professional groups each year. He served as Chief Reader of the College Board’s AP US Government and Politics Exam (2011-2015) and is past president of the Southwestern Political Science Association. He is married to Dr. Kristina Riddlesperger, is the father of two grown sons, and grandfather to four wonderful grandchildren.

Areas of Expertise

Political Parties
American Political Institutions
Congress and the Presidency
Congress
Issues in American Politics
American Politics
Presidency
Civic Literacy
Texas Politics

Accomplishments

Chancellor’s Award for Creative Teaching and Research, TCU

2017

Connections Hero, First winner, TCU

2014

Honors Professor of the Year, TCU

2012

Education

University of Missouri-Columbia

Ph.D.

Political Science

1983

North Texas State University

M.A.

Political Science

1980

North Texas State University

B.A.

Political Science

1975

Affiliations

  • American Political Science Association
  • Southern Political Science Association
  • Southwestern Political Science Association

Media Appearances

What happened in Texas elections: A breakdown of key races and why neither party is satisfied

WFAA  online

2022-11-09

“I did think that one might be a little closer than the other, but it turned out that that didn’t matter at all,” Jim Riddlesperger, a TCU political science professor said. Riddlesperger and Jillson said increasing partisanship could be a reason for the similar performance with blue areas of the state becoming bluer in 2022 and red, conservative areas becoming even stronger Republican holds.

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Abortion rights supporters struggle to keep issue top of mind for Texas voters

The Texas Tribune  online

2022-10-19

“But that was actually a referendum on abortion, and what we have in Texas is an election between three-dimensional, living, breathing human beings that have opinions on a wide variety of issues,” said James Riddlesperger, a professor of political science at Texas Christian University.

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When have so many Texans voted early in a midterm election? Never

Star Telegram  

2018-10-23

“I think that President Trump has energized voters — both those who support him and those who oppose him,” said Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at TCU. “Polls suggest that, over the year of 2018, Democrats have been more energized than Republicans. But in the last few weeks, Republicans have virtually tied the Democrats in terms of being likely to vote.”...

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Event Appearances

Riddlesperger, James W., Jr. and King, James D. “The Trump Transition: Beginning a Distinctive Presidency”

American Political Science Association  San Francisco

2017-08-31

King, James D. and Riddlesperger, James W., Jr. ‘“Personnel Is Policy”: The 2016-2017 Transition into the New Administration”

Southwestern Political Science Association Meeting  Austin

2017-04-01

King, James D. and Riddlesperger, James W., Jr. “The 2016-2017 Transition into the Donald J. Trump Presidency,”

Conference on the U.S. Presidential Election of 2016, IDC  Herzliya, Israel

2017-01-08

Articles

Diversity and Presidential Cabinet Appointments

Social Science Quarterly

James D King, James W Riddlesperger Jr

2014

A significant indicator of a president's commitment to equality in American society can be found in the people appointed to fill senior‐level positions within the administration.

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Senate confirmation of cabinet appointments: Congress-centered, presidency-centered, and nominee-centered explanations

The Social Science Journal

James D King, James W Riddlesperger Jr

2013

Recent presidents find greater proportions of their executive nominations encountering substantial opposition in the Senate. What accounts for failed nominations to senior-level executive positions? We address this question by examining 297 cabinet and other senior-level nominations between 1969 and 2012, testing multivariate models of the effects of the partisan and ideological composition of the Senate, the president's public approval and electoral mandate, and characteristics of the nominee...

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Senate confirmation of cabinet nominations: Institutional politics and nominee qualifications

The Social Science Journal

James D King, James W Riddlesperger Jr

1996

The outcomes of votes to confirm cabinet nominations can be viewed from the perspective of the individual nominee's qualifications for the position or one which places confirmation votes in the context of institutional politics between the president and the Senate. This article specifies and tests a linear regression model designed to assess which perspective best explains confirmation votes for the 201 cabinet nominations made between 1945 and 1993. The analysis indicates that, unlike nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court, the key conflict is between the nominee's own background and the Senate's standard of appropriate conduct in personal and business affairs. But when conflicts of interest arise, the president's standing with the public becomes an important factor.

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