northern virginia (nova) is indeed known for its proximity to washington, d.c., and many residents work for government agencies, contractors, or related fields. these areas, particularly arlington, alexandria, and fairfax, tend to lean liberal and have consistently voted democratic in recent elections, in line with a more urban, educated demographic. however, the broader trend of virginia appearing to "turn redder" could be driven by other parts of the state, especially rural and suburban regions. these areas may be more conservative, and their political preferences could shift virginias overall trajectory, depending on turnout patterns and population changes. it's also possible that certain economic or social issues are resonating more in non-nova areas, contributing to the redder shift you're noticing.  so, while nova's demographics align with a more government-oriented, potentially less trump-friendly population, the state's political shifts might stem from different factors outside that region.
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