“The minimum wage debate has been one of the more controversial issues in Virginia in the last several years,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “You see significant public support for increasing the minimum wage, but you also see some resistance in the business community to higher minimum wages.”Democratic lawmakers send Youngkin minimum wage bill — again (Rappahannock News)
“The process is a slow one,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “What you’ve seen so far is the first step.”
“President Trump’s effort to shrink the federal government is going to have an immense impact on the governor’s race in Virginia this year. Not only are we talking about all the people who work for the federal government who wonder whether they’re going to stay employed,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “You also have all the people who are federal contractors or selling gasoline and food to people working in the federal government.”Slashing the federal workforce would have ‘immense’ impact on Virginia governor’s race (Washington Examiner)
"This is going to be a pretty significant impact for a lot of individuals, particularly in the Washington region, where the headquarters are often where DEI initiatives are concentrated," explained Steve Farnsworth, PhD, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “You're looking at a number of people who may be looking at other jobs in the federal government. They may need to be transferred. That could create some dynamics involving bumping people in terms of unions."
Farnsworth said he expects federal employee unions to file lawsuits against Trump's actions.
“The poll shows that, once again, purple state Virginia, is in for a pretty compelling election season,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in an interview with The Dogwood.
"Well, the good news for Republicans is that the election is still a long way away. A lot can happen between February and November," said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington.
How federal layoffs could impact Virginia’s governor’s race (NBC Washington 4) 
