He received his M.A. in Government from the University of Virginia and his Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. He was previously the senior research fellow at a Washington, D.C. polling firm. His research interests include American campaigns and elections, election law, party organizations, political behavior, and public opinion. He is currently recruiting and training students who are interested in the development and implementation of public opinion polls. He hopes to field a statewide election and opinion poll for the 2016 general election.