Scott Widmeyer speaks about “Where Do We Go From Here?” in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education on Monday night. Ainsley Hall

SHEPHERDSTOWN – The Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications hosted the last event in the Fall 2024 President’s Lecture Series at Shepherd University on Monday night, titled, “Where Do We Go From Here?”

Scott Widmeyer, political and public affairs strategist and co-chair of the Stubblefield Institute, was invited to talk about civility during the 2024 election and what should happen next.

Widmeyer founded Widmeyer Communications in 1988 after working in the newspaper industry. He served in major communications positions for leaders such as President Jimmy Carter, Vice President Walter Mondale, U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Congresswomen Geraldine Ferraro and American Federation of Teachers President Albert Shanker.

A few weeks after the election, Widmeyer wanted to talk about the role civility played in the 2024 election and answer several questions such as, “Why are Americans tuned out and disillusioned with politics?” and “How can colleges like Shepherd and programs like Stubblefield change the equation?”

Widmeyer graded the civility of both political candidates. He gave Donald Trump’s campaign an “F,” pointing to several times when Trump called Joe Biden and Kamala Harris names. He also made comments about Harris’ skin color and consistently mispronounced her name.

Widmeyer believed the Harris campaign did a bit better, giving them a “C,” as they also called Trump names, calling him unstable, unchecked and unhinged.

“All of this exemplifies the erosion of civil discourse in the 2024 election,” Widmeyer said. “And it highlights a shift towards more confrontational and uncivil tactics in political campaigning. It doesn’t build out a good lesson for young people sitting in this room tonight who probably are thinking, ‘I want to consider a career in politics,’ or ‘I want to consider a career in communications or journalism.’ You’re thinking, ‘Is this what it’s really like?'”

Widmeyer also touched on how the media plays a part in getting people interested in politics. Local newspapers and TV stations help people stay informed on local issues, however one in five Americans live in a media desert, which are communities where residents don’t have access to reliable local news sources. This causes a lack of engagement in politics and a lack of accountability for politicians. Widmeyer shared that though the Eastern Panhandle faces similar issues as local newspapers deal with consolidation, lack of important news coverage, no investigative reporters and lack of political “watch dogs.”

So how should people respond to the lack of civility and other concerns in politics? Widmeyer said stagnation is not the answer. Though many people are stressed and scared about the future, sitting out is not the answer. Widmeyer encourages people to get involved. One way to Stubblefield Institute can make an impact is by listening to people who don’t feel like they are being heard, get more local politicians involved, encourage more young people to pursue careers in politics and find common ground between different views.

“We must constantly remind ourselves that it’s up to us to determine the long-term fate of American democracy,” Widmeyer said. “The outcome is in the hands of the American people. That’s the work ahead and it must be centered around respect, trust, civility and love. Yes, love. It’s time to get started.”