Virginia Democrats Think They Have a New Rallying Cry: Government Job Cuts

One of the states with the largest federal worker populations in the country is set to be a test of how much the cuts to the federal workforce resonate with voters.

Abigail Spanberger
Bryan Woolston/AP

Democrats in Virginia are counting on cuts to the federal workforce playing a key role in helping them win them back the governor’s seat.

As President Donald Trump’s administration takes steps to reduce the federal workforce, Virginia, which neighbors Washington and has among the highest number of federal workers of any state in the country, is poised to be hit especially hard. And its off-year gubernatorial race is set to be an early indicator of how much the cuts resonate with voters.

The race is expected to be a competitive one between former Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, and both parties are eager for a shot to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.