In 2024, many former federal employees are deciding to run for public office after losing their jobs. People like Tony Ruiz, a disabled veteran and former Veterans Affairs employee, are motivated by their experience of being laid off despite good performance. This wave of federal workers, especially veterans, are turning to politics to fight for their rights and serve their communities in new ways. This article explains why these workers are running for office and how organizations are helping them take this important step.
Federal Workers Facing Layoffs Look to Politics
Tony Ruiz was proud to work for Veterans Affairs, helping fellow veterans get the benefits they deserve. But just before he could become a permanent employee, he was laid off. Ruiz believes that the only way to fight back against these layoffs is by getting into political power. He plans to run for local office in California, hoping to represent veterans, Latinos, and others who feel ignored or under attack.
Ruiz is not alone. Since the federal layoffs started in February 2024, many former government workers have been reaching out to groups that support political candidates. Progressive and Democratic organizations say they have seen a big increase in people interested in running for school boards, city councils, or even Congress.
Why Former Federal Employees Make Strong Candidates
Groups like Run for Something help progressive candidates run for local offices. Their co-founder Amanda Litman says they saw a huge spike in sign-ups right after the federal layoffs began. Many of these people want to fight back against the cuts and tell their stories of being fired by the Trump administration.
Former federal workers often have a strong understanding of government and public service. They also have personal stories that resonate with voters, such as being veterans or having been fired for trying to serve the public. This makes them compelling candidates who can connect with their communities.
Training and Support for Aspiring Candidates
Organizations like Emerge are helping women and other former federal employees learn how to run for office. They provide training on how to find the right position, run a campaign, and use their government experience to serve their communities better. In 2024, hundreds of former federal workers attended training sessions, showing a strong interest in stepping into leadership roles.
Mark Leonard, a volunteer with Democratic campaigns, is advising former public servants on how to run for office. He helps them with deadlines, messaging, and campaign strategies to make sure they don’t give up when running for office feels overwhelming.
Personal Stories Drive Political Ambitions
Many former federal employees are motivated to run because of how their jobs ended. Caitie Goddard, who lost her USAID job, says the experience forced her to decide if and when she might run for office. She wants to show voters that fired federal workers are real people with families and communities affected by political decisions.
Shernice Mundell, who worked helping postal workers with health insurance, is thinking about running for Congress. She feels let down by her current representative, who supports the layoffs and doesn’t provide help to those affected. For Mundell, losing her job became a push to finally pursue a political career.
Federal layoffs have pushed many dedicated public servants to reconsider their futures. Instead of stepping away, many are choosing to run for public office to continue serving their communities and to fight for the rights of workers like themselves. Supported by political organizations and fueled by personal stories, these candidates could change local and national politics in the coming years. Their efforts show how challenges can inspire new leadership and a stronger voice for everyday Americans.
