A new survey of Northern Virginia voters finds that George Mason University enjoys overwhelming bipartisan support – and that the university’s Board of Visitors (BOV) is on the wrong side of public opinion as it considers removing President Gregory Washington under political pressure.
Conducted in late July, the poll of Northern Virginia voters shows that:
- 81% have a favorable opinion of George Mason University, including 74% of Republicans, 77% of Independents, and 86% of Democrats.
- 93% say it’s important that Virginia’s public universities remain independent from political influence, including 90% of Republicans.
- 76% say the Board of Visitors should wait for the conclusion of the federal investigation before taking any action regarding President Washington.
- Only 22% support removing President Washington due to political pressure – while opposition to this move is three times higher
- A solid 65% of voters believe recent removals of university leaders in Virginia are part of a political campaign by Governor Youngkin and President Trump—not legitimate oversight.
- 75% say they would be concerned about the reputation of George Mason University if political interference results in the removal of its president.
“This data could not be clearer: Northern Virginia voters want their public universities focused on education – not politics,” said Brian Drummond, JD ’88 and former George Mason Alumni Association President, with Stand With Mason. “The Board of Visitors’ actions are not just unpopular—they are dangerously out of step with public opinion, especially as we approach the November elections.
The findings come at a time when voters are signaling strong opposition to political interference in higher education. “The numbers show this is not a partisan issue,” Drummond added. “The BOV is isolating itself from the very communities it’s meant to serve. They should let the investigation run its course before making any decisions that would damage the university’s standing and betray the trust of Virginians.”
George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public university in Virginia, and plays a crucial role in educating the state’s future workforce. Efforts to politicize its leadership are widely viewed as reckless and destabilizing, particularly by independent voters, who align closely with Democrats on this issue and could prove decisive in the upcoming statewide races.
About the Survey
The survey was conducted by Dynata on behalf of Stand With Mason between July 25–29, 2025, among a representative sample of 411 registered voters in Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William, Loudoun counties, and the City of Alexandria. The margin of error is approximately ±4.8 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
