Alex Keena, Ph.D.
← Back to home

Public Commentary Archive

Op-eds and published interviews, 2016–present — mostly on redistricting, campaign finance, and Virginia politics.

Op-Eds & Bylined Commentary

Pieces I wrote myself, alone or with co-authors.

Feb 11, 2026
Virginia Mercury
Gerrymandering in Virginia is a strategic blunder for Democrats
Sep 5, 2025
Houston Institute for Race & Justice
How does the gerrymandering arms race end?
Jun 10, 2022
Virginia Mercury
Maybe it's time for more demand-side approaches to gun control
Oct 20, 2021
Scientific American
Electoral Engineering and the Freedom to Vote
Oct 19, 2021
Virginia Mercury
Evaluating Virginia's Redistricting Reforms
May 4, 2021
The Washington Post (Monkey Cage)
Redistricting might gain Republicans a few seats in Congress. Their real gains will be in state legislatures.
Jan 29, 2020
Richmond Times-Dispatch
The redistricting amendment will strengthen democracy in Virginia
Jul 2, 2019
The Washington Post (Monkey Cage)
Here's how to fix partisan gerrymandering, now that the Supreme Court kicked it back to the states
May 23, 2019
LSE USAPP
The GOP's "supply-side" abortion bans won't work and will have dire consequences for women's health
Jul 31, 2018
The Washington Post (Monkey Cage)
Want a less partisan senator? Elect a former governor
Mar 27, 2018
LSE USAPP
Maryland's electoral maps show how proportional representation could solve the problem of gerrymandering
Oct 25, 2017
Newsweek
How the Supreme Court Justices enabled the gerrymandering of boundaries
Feb 8, 2017
LSE USAPP
Gerrymandering the Presidency
Feb 2, 2017
The Washington Post (Monkey Cage)
We have a standard for judging partisan gerrymandering. The Supreme Court should use it.
2017
The Conversation
Why the Democrats won't win the House in 2018
Nov 10, 2016
Political Insight (blog)
Reactions to the 2016 U.S. Election: Institutions (and Probabilities) Matter
Oct 26, 2016
Election Law Blog
Revenge of the Anti-Federalists: What is at Stake with Vieth and the Gerrymandered Congress

Published Interviews

Pieces where I'm interviewed or quoted by other reporters.

2026
May 28, 2026
Virginia Mercury
Kiggans maintains support for Iran war while warning of pain at the pump
May 20, 2026
Virginia Scope
Democrats' primary plans crumble after redistricting loss
May 13, 2026
Alexandria Times
What does the redistricting battle mean for Alexandria?
May 8, 2026
Wall Street Journal
Virginia Supreme Court Deals Blow to Democrats’ Midterm Hopes
Apr 19, 2026
NOS (Netherlands)
Nieuwsuur "Tussentijdse verkiezingen in Amerika" (Dutch)
Apr 16, 2026
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Lots of Money, Little Transparency in Virginia Redistricting Campaign
Apr 15, 2026
The Virginian-Pilot
PACs spending millions to campaign on Virginia redistricting referendum
Mar 5, 2026
Virginia Mercury
Early voting begins Friday for Virginia redistricting referendum
2025
Dec 5
WHRO
Virginia gun rights advocates worry blue sweep will create more gun control
Nov 20
Radio IQ
Gambling interests are investing heavily in Virginia's legislative process
Nov 6
Bay Journal
Environmentalists find hope in Virginia's next governor
Nov 5
WTOP
Experts weigh in on 'blue wave' in Va. after Democrats sweep statewide races
Oct 27
CNN
Virginia Democrats are set to join the redistricting war
Oct 21
Newsweek
Spanberger's Chances of Beating Earle-Sears Two Weeks Before Election—Polls
Oct 17
Radio IQ
The latest campaign finance numbers show a tightening race for governor
Oct 9
Richmond Free Press
Questionable gifts cloud Earle-Sears' governor bid
Oct 6
Radio IQ
Gambling interests pump donations into Virginia political groups
Oct 6
Newsweek
Jay Jones' Texts Revealed as Virginia Democratic Candidate Faces Backlash
Aug 10
The Washington Times
Art and absurdity of redrawing congressional lines — and then crossing them
Jul 14
Virginia Mercury
Va. governors make board appointments; legislators confirm them. How's the process work?
Jun 18
WTOP News
Ghazala Hashmi wins Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in Virginia primary
2024
Nov 21
RVA Magazine
Virginia Professors Discuss Trump's Return to Washington with Unified Government
Nov 8
VPM
Money wasn't deciding factor in Richmond mayoral race
Nov 7
Richmond Free Press
Richmond minority voters turn out strong for Harris despite national loss
Nov 6
Yahoo News
Biden's legacy in ruins after Trump triumph
Nov 6
Daily Mail
In the end, women did not save Harris at ballot box
Nov 3
Capitol News Service
What Virginia's college voters care most about in presidential election
Oct 29
VPM
How could Richmond's next mayor impact abortion access?
Oct 24
Public News Service
Virginia's early voting less than in 2020; caution urged in drawing conclusions
Oct 19
VPM
Floyd's fundraising in 6th District council race mostly from out-of-state sources
Jun 14
The Times (UK)
Biden won this state easily last time. Now it could flip to Trump
Jul 15
VPM
What effect will Trump shooting have on campaigns going forward?
Jul 15
The Virginian-Pilot
Virginia Republicans mum on Trump's remarks about Jan. 6 at Chesapeake rally
Jul 2
HuffPost
Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good Loses Primary, But Plans To Demand Recount
Jun 19
The Washington Post
Good, McGuire locked in tight race in Va.'s 5th District GOP primary
Jun 13
Associated Press
Republican Party rifts on display in Virginia congressional primary pitting Good and McGuire
Jun 4
Courthouse News Service
Virginia primaries: Why this year's race holds national implications
Jun 2
The Washington Post
Dems weigh local ties, anti-Trump fame in primary for Spanberger seat
May 2
France 24
As student protests shake US campuses, Biden mum
Apr 30
DC News Now
Political analyst weighs in on how college protests impact upcoming elections
Apr 26
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Stoney calls Spanberger 'very formidable candidate' after leaving governor's race
Apr 12
RVA Hub
Democrats 'move the needle' on gun regulation campaign promises
Apr 6
VPM
Youngkin vetoes abortion-related shield law bills
Mar 20
VPM
These are the GOP candidates hoping to unseat Sen. Tim Kaine
Mar 5
Audacy (podcast)
Drive Time: What to look for this Super Tuesday
Mar 3
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Virginia's Super Tuesday primary might have messages for November
Mar 1
The Virginian-Pilot
A bill protecting birth control access is headed to Virginia's governor
Feb 29
WRIC
Nikki Haley holds rally in central Virginia, criticizes Trump on the border, Ukraine
Feb 29
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Andrew Cain previews Super Tuesday in Virginia with VCU professor Alex Keena
Feb 15
VPM
As bills pass between chambers, party and policy can clash
2023
Dec 5
VPM
As newly elected lawmakers head to Richmond, lobbyists remain
Nov 8
RVAHub
Virginia Democrats celebrate legislative 'blue wall' built from Election Day victories
Nov 7
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily
Virginia has 'Systemic' Housing Issue, but Candidates Mostly Quiet About It
Nov 6
The Northern Virginia Daily
Early voting ends in Va. with overall lower turnout
Nov 3
The News Virginian
Gun policy a top issue for some voters but campaigns mostly quiet
Nov 3
The Virginian-Pilot
People with disabilities need more options for voting, which could improve turnout, study says
Nov 3
The Virginian-Pilot
Hampton Roads Transit one of several services in Virginia providing free rides to the polls
Nov 3
WHRO
A majority of Virginia voters want a recreational cannabis market. Will the election matter?
Oct 31
WTOP
How different district boundaries make the Va. election more unpredictable
Oct 20
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily
College Students Hope to Boost Registration and Turnout this Election
Oct 17
The Virginian-Pilot
New voter registration in Virginia lags compared to last General Assembly election
Sep 20
WVTF
A look at campaign fundraising numbers, with early voting starting this week
Sep 20
WTOP
Analyst breaks down 'tossup' districts in Virginia's pivotal election
2016 – 2022
Nov 2022
CBS Sunday Morning
Why Gerrymandering has gotten worse
Feb 2022
The Advocate
Effort to create Black-majority legislative districts has aided Republicans. Here's why
Oct 2021
NPR
Contentious redistricting process down to the wire in Virginia
Oct 2021
US News & World Report
Campaign Finance Reform? Maybe Next Cycle. This One's too Important
Sep 2021
CNN
How Voter Suppression Laws Hurt White People
Sep 2021
Associated Press
New redistricting commissions splinter along partisan lines
Feb 2020
Associated Press
Bill that gives electoral votes to popular vote winner fails
Jun 2019
The Hill
Supreme Court hands Virginia Democrats a win in gerrymandering case
Jun 2019
VCU News
Supreme Court's redistricting decision may be "most important development in Virginia politics in a generation"