Erie County in spotlight: Mercyhurst lends global perspective on presidential election

In the ever-evolving world of education, no two days are truly alike—especially for Mercyhurst University political science professor and Erie County’s foremost political analyst, Dr. Joe Morris. With a tenure spanning two decades, Morris is a familiar face in Erie, a region known for its uncanny ability to foretell election outcomes.

This election cycle, however, has catapulted him into an unprecedented spotlight. Journalists from around the globe are clamoring for his insights as the nation gears up for a thrilling showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump.

In the past two months, a steady stream of reporters has flocked to Mercyhurst, sparking insightful political discourse, including interaction with students, among them Marley Ramon, John White, Victoria Weaver, Nick Ramm, Paige Miller, Ethan Nannen, and Reid Brown. 

Local journalists mingle with representatives from major media outlets like Bloomberg News, the Washington Examiner, Patriot News, National Review, and USA Today—all eagerly turning to Morris for his seasoned perspective. But perhaps the most striking development this year is the influx of international media descending upon Erie and Mercyhurst, underscoring the election's global significance. 

Here’s a glimpse at some of the international names joining the fray:

  • Caitriona Perry, producer, BBC, UK
  • Megumi Ritchie, associate producer, DC Bureau, Tokyo Broadcasting System
  • Kyung-ah Rhim, New York correspondent, MBC/South Korea public broadcasting
  • Mathus Ruiz Rafael, DC correspondent, Argentine newspaper LaNacion
  • Tomas Vasilko, journalist, Slovak newspaper Dennik N.
  • Vanessa Johnston, reporter, Voice of America
  • Scott Stewart, reporter, Washington Bureau, Sankei Shimbun newspaper (Japan)
  • Eric Destine, reporter, RTBF/Belgian national television network
  • Louise Byrne, journalist, RTE, Dublin, Ireland
  • Frédéric Arnould, US correspondent, États-Unis Radio, Canada
  • Cédric Guigon, journalist RTS/Swiss national public radio
  • Alexis Buisson, US correspondent for Mediapart, France
  • Idoya Noain, US correspondent for the Barcelona daily El Periodico
  • Bhagyashree Garekar, U.S. Bureau chief, the Straits Times, Singapore

As they seek his predictions, one thing remains clear: Dr. Morris isn’t one to succumb to the pressure of forecasting election outcomes. While he’s open to tackling a myriad of questions, predicting the future is a line he won’t cross.

In a year marked by unprecedented media attention, Erie County—often considered a bellwether—is firmly in the spotlight, with Mercyhurst University at the heart of it all.