A new, and far-left, governor moved into the governor’s office in Virginia, and one of the first major economic announcements made was that Boeing is leaving the state.
It’s a huge blow to the economic agenda of Abigail Spanberger, whose goals appear to be expanding abortion, expanding transgender activism, pushing DEI ideologies and cutting down on the authority of the federal government, through its Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, to enforce federal law.
The Daily Caller News Foundation said only a month into Spanberger’s term, her state is losing operations of one of the nation’s largest defense contractors, Boeing.
The company has confirmed it is relocating its Defense, Space & Security headquarters to St. Louis, where it was based from 1997 to 2017.
It had moved to Arlington while Glenn Youngkin, the Republican predecessor to Spanberger, was in office.
U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth joined Republican Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and Sen. Eric Schmitt at Boeing’s north St. Louis plant Wednesday, where he praised the relocation and highlighted the decision to move resources “to the heartland of America,” the report said.
The company has about 18,000 workers in the St. Louis area.
“St. Louis is the beating heart of America’s defense industrial base,” Schmitt said. “Our mechanics, engineers, and technicians have built some of the greatest machines ever employed by our military and the next-generation fighter aircraft – the F-47 – will be made in Boeing St. Louis.”
Good news:
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) February 18, 2026
Boeing is moving its defense headquarters to St. Louis, Missouri. pic.twitter.com/HwuFHoAdEg
Headed to @Boeing in St. Louis today to celebrate this incredible win for the region during @SecWar's Arsenal of Freedom Tour.
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) February 18, 2026
St. Louis, Missouri, is a critical hub for American manufacturing and our national defense. 🇺🇸https://t.co/MC085etDIJ pic.twitter.com/WTFI83bhV8
The report noted that under Youngkin, conditions for businesses in the state rose, but the move suggests that is expected to deteriorate under Spanberger.
Among other things, Democrats, led by Spanberger, are now proposing dozens and dozens of tax hikes in the state.
They also are demanding that contracts be given to their friends in the “minority” community, rather than the company with the best bid.
According to Fox, Boeing Defense’s CEO said, “The headquarters move, coupled with our senior leaders being based at and spending their time at major engineering, production and manufacturing centers across the U.S., reflects our continued focus on disciplined performance across our business.”
Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, has blasted Spanberger’s agenda for its commitment “to turning the commonwealth into California.”
Boeing said it still will maintain some offices in Arlington.
