For nearly a decade, former President Donald Trump has championed shrinking the federal government and “draining the swamp.” However, one Republican running in a critical House race is stepping back from Trump’s plans, which could severely impact the economy in his district.
Derrick Anderson, the Republican candidate for Virginia’s seventh congressional district, is distancing himself from Trump’s proposals to move 100,000 federal workers out of the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region and to fire “rogue bureaucrats.” These policies, while resonating with Trump’s base, could deal a blow to an area where nearly 60,000 federal employees live. Federal contractors also contribute significantly to the local economy.
Anderson said he would oppose any legislation that might harm jobs or increase the cost of living in his district, adding, “This is my home district, and I’ll do everything I can to protect it.”
Anderson’s race is among the most competitive in the country, and his selective alignment with Trump reflects a broader strategy Republicans are employing in districts that supported President Biden in 2020. To enact their 2025 agenda, Republicans need to win in several such swing districts.
Anderson faces Democrat Eugene Vindman, brother of Alexander Vindman, who testified against Trump in the 2019 impeachment trial. Vindman’s campaign has far outpaced Anderson’s in fundraising, with $7.5 million raised compared to Anderson’s $1.4 million by June 30.
Trump’s plans, part of his “Agenda 47,” also include making it easier to fire civil servants and replacing them with political appointees under a controversial “Schedule F” executive order. This move could affect tens of thousands of federal employees, particularly in Virginia’s seventh district.
Eugene Vindman warns that Trump’s plan would devastate the local economy, affecting not just federal employees but also contractors and other associated jobs. Economic analysts estimate that losing 100,000 federal jobs could eliminate 160,000 jobs in total, resulting in a projected $27-28 billion hit to Virginia’s economy.
Trump’s proposals could turn the Virginia-O7 race into a referendum on the role of federal workers, with potentially far-reaching consequences for Republicans in 2024.