Scott J. Hofer, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of political science at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. As the campus-wide pre-law advisor, Hofer helps students prepare for and successfully navigate the law school admissions process. He also serves as the faculty advisor to Monmouth’s Mock Trial Team and the Monmouth University Law Review. Before joining Monmouth, Hofer was an assistant professor at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York from 2019–2024. He received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Houston in 2019 after earning undergraduate degrees from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Hofer’s primary research interests include judicial legitimacy, the impact of racial and gender diversification in the judiciary, campaign finance, and election law. He is the author of one book and multiple peer-reviewed journal articles published in journals including American Politics Research; Politics, Groups, and Identities; and Political Research Quarterly. Hofer has been featured or cited in media outlets including The Washington Post, the Brennan Center for Justice Annual Report, The Denver Post, One United Lancaster, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Brooklyn Reader, and the London School of Economics US Politics and Policy Blog. He and his spouse, Dahye, have one child, Milo, and currently reside in northern New Jersey.

Education

Ph.D., Political Science, University of Houston

M.A., Political Science, University of Houston

B.A., Philosophy, Augustana University

B.A., Government and International Affairs, Augustana University

Academic Works

Journal Articles

Achury, S., Casellas, J. P., Hofer, S. J., & Ward, M. (2025). The dimensions of judicial legitimacy: assessing the impact of Latino representation. Politics, Groups, and Identities, 1-22.

Hofer, S. (2024). Assessing the Limits of Free Speech and Election Misinformation: A Case Study of 2020. Ralph Bunche Journal of Public Affairs, 7(1), 3.

Achury, S., Casellas, J. P., Hofer, S. J., & Ward, M. (2023). The impact of racial representation on judicial legitimacy: White reactions to Latinos on the bench. Political Research Quarterly, 76(1), 158-172.

Hofer, S., & Achury, S. (2021). The Consequences of Diversifying the US District Courts: Race, Gender, and Ideological Alignment through Judicial Appointments. Justice System Journal, 42(3-4), 306-324.

Hofer, S., & Casellas, J. (2020). Latino Judges on the Federal District Court:¿ Cómo Deciden?. American Politics Research, 48(3), 343-354.

Book and Book Chapters

Hofer, S. J., & Patten, J. N. (2026). Citizens Forgotten: Super PACs, Dark Money, and the Corporate Takeover of American Democracy. Springer Nature.

Hofer, S. (2024). Time Served. Open Judicial Politics 3E Vol. 1.

Hofer, S., & Achury, S. (2021). Examining Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in the Legal Profession. Open Judicial Politics 3E Vol. 1.

Policy and Legal Briefs

Hofer, S. J. (2022). Student Expression and the First Amendment: Mahanoy Area School District v. BL. Justice System Journal, 43(2), 231-233.

Huang, C., Murray, R., & Hofer, S. (2018). The Trade-Offs between At-Large and Single-Member Districts.