AFGE District 4 National Vice President Christine Surrette: “With Abigail in the Governor’s Office, Federal Employees Living in Virginia Will Have an Advocate Who Will Fight for Them and Their Families”
RICHMOND, Va. — The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employee union in the country representing more than 800,000 federal employees — including tens of thousands of Virginians, today endorsed Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger to serve as the next Governor of Virginia.
In their endorsement, AFGE praised Spanberger’s record of delivering real results for Virginia workers and families across the Commonwealth. AFGE also thanked Spanberger for standing up to political attacks on Virginia’s federal workforce that are undermining nonpartisan public service, killing Virginia jobs, and threatening the strength of Virginia’s economy.
“Representative Abigail Spanberger has always stood firmly with federal employees and their families. She’s been a champion for fair pay, stronger benefits, and protections against political attacks on the civil service,” said Ottis Johnson Jr., AFGE District 14 National Vice President. “Abigail understands that our federal workforce is the backbone of our communities and our nation’s security, and she’s delivered real results to make sure their voices are heard in Washington. That’s why we’re proud to endorse her for governor — because we know she’ll continue fighting for fairness, accountability, and respect for public service here in Virginia.”
“Abigail Spanberger understands that federal employees deserve a workplace that is free from political interference and retaliation and that guarantees their right to join a union and negotiate collectively for better working conditions and fair treatment on the job,” said Christine Surrette, AFGE District 4 National Vice President. “With Abigail in the Governor’s office, federal employees living in Virginia will have an advocate who will fight for them and their families.”
“Virginia’s federal workers devote their careers to serving their neighbors, strengthening our communities, and caring for our Veterans and our seniors,” said Spanberger. “I’m grateful for the American Federation of Government Employees’ tireless work to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of federal employees, and I’m proud to earn their endorsement to serve as the next Governor of Virginia. During this moment of uncertainty, our Commonwealth deserves leaders who won’t be afraid to stand up to the chaos coming out of the current administration and defend Virginia workers, their families, and their livelihoods.”
Yesterday, Spanberger penned a Washington Post op-ed outlining her commitment to standing up for Virginia’s federal employees as the Trump Administration continues to unleash devastating attacks on Virginia’s federal workers that are hurting Virginia’s entire economy.
While Spanberger is focused on protecting Virginia’s economy and saving Virginians money, her opponent Winsome Earle-Sears continues to endorse the Trump Administration’s disastrous economic policies that are driving up costs and killing Virginia jobs. Last week, Earle-Sears campaigned with Vivek Ramaswamy — one of the original ‘DOGE’ leaders.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union in the country, representing more than 800,000 federal and D.C. government workers in all functions of government. AFGE represents about 43,000 federal employees in District 4, which includes Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia; and about 70,000 federal employees in District 14, which includes metropolitan D.C. and Europe.
BACKGROUND
Spanberger has stressed her commitment to protecting and growing Virginia’s economy amid the Trump Administration’s attacks on Virginia workers.
A recent forecast from the University of Virginia projects that the Commonwealth will have virtually no job growth in 2026 due to the Trump Administration’s “delayed federal layoffs and tariffs.” Virginia faced rising unemployment rates for seven months in a row — the longest streak since the 2008 Great Recession — and lost its CNBC ranking as “America’s Top State for Business” earlier this summer due in part to federal job cuts “disproportionately” hurting Virginia’s economy.
To help respond, Spanberger rolled out her Growing Virginia Plan to invest in workforce training programs for the next generation, expand trade opportunities for Virginia businesses, and strengthen Virginia’s economy for working families.
Spanberger has also continued to make lowering costs for Virginia families a top priority in her campaign.
This week, Spanberger’s campaign released a new ad highlighting Winsome Earle-Sears’ vocal support for the Republican tax law that will raise costs on Virginia families.
Earlier this year, Spanberger announced her Affordable Virginia Plan, which would lower Virginians’ healthcare and prescription drug, housing, and energy costs.
###