Federal layoffs shake up Virginia ahead of 2025 governor’s race

ARLINGTON, Va. — Virginia could be one of the states most affected by President Donald Trump’s moves to shrink the federal workforce — and this year’s race for governor will test whether the slashing approach is a political loser, winner or nonissue in a state home to more than 340,000 federal workers, according to census data.
Already, there are signs of how the disruption could shape the state’s political climate: NBC News spoke with more than a dozen voters around the state who participated in past NBC News polls and said they were not strongly aligned with either party. All were aware of the ongoing federal layoffs, with some expressing deep concern about the effect on Virginia workers and those receiving federal benefits, though most were not yet tuned into the governor’s race.