VIRGINIA – Following Meidas Touch reporting audio of Sears saying losing a job “happens all the time” and “the media is making it out to be a huge, huge thing… and I don’t understand why,” former federal workers and American Federation of Government Employees are calling Sears out for downplaying attacks on Virginia jobs. 

While Sears dismisses the thousands of Virginians at risk of losing their jobs , Democratic nominee for Governor Abigail Spanberger has been clear she will always defend Virginia jobs and Virginia’s economy. Virginia Mercury: Earle-Sears comments on federal layoffs spark outcry from unions, veterans

• A newly surfaced recording of Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and federal employee unions, who say her remarks downplaying the impact of recent federal layoffs show a disregard for the thousands of Virginians — many of them veterans — who have lost their jobs under President Donald Trump’s administration’s workforce cuts.
• “I’ve had to console employees who were laid off, who don’t know how they’ll make rent. Some have taken their own lives. Sears isn’t on the side of Virginians,” Surrette said on a Zoom call set up by the Democratic Party of Virginia Thursday.
• A spokeswoman for Earle-Sears’ campaign declined to comment, but pointed to a video the lieutenant governor posted on X, formerly Twitter, in February [...]
• [...] Said Monique Samuels, president of AFGE Local 1992, which represents Defense Logistics Agency workers in Richmond. “Losing a job in any situation is devastating. With thousands of Virginians facing layoffs, there will be a larger economic impact that will hurt every Virginian, but Sears doesn’t care.”
• “We’re already seeing appointments being rescheduled because doctors and nurses can’t do their jobs because they don’t have the tools that they need to get that job done. Yesterday we received 50 messages, people are worried about what’s happening next.”
• Both [Sears and Youngkin] touted the state’s Virginia Has Jobs platform [...] But union leaders say those promises don’t match reality.
• “These workers can’t just walk into another job next week,” said Surrette. “Many are specialized professionals ...  And in the meantime, veterans are waiting on appointments, prescriptions, and essential services.”

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