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Winsome Sears
42nd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Incumbent
Assumed office January 15, 2022
Governor	Glenn Youngkin
Preceded by	Justin Fairfax
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 90th district
In office January 13, 2002 – January 14, 2004
Preceded by	Billy Robinson
Succeeded by	Algie Howell
Personal details
Born	Winsome Earle (1964-03-11) March 11, 1964 (age 60) Kingston, Jamaica
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Terence Sears
Children	3
Education	Tidewater Community College (AA) Old Dominion University (BA) Regent University (MA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1983–1986

Winsome Earle Sears (born March 11, 1964) is a Jamaican-born American politician serving as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Virginia. A member of the Republican Party, Sears served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2004. She also served on the Virginia Board of Education, and she ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia's 3rd congressional district in 2004 and for U.S. Senate in 2018. In 2021, Sears was elected lieutenant governor of Virginia as the running mate of Glenn Youngkin.

Sears is the first woman to serve as lieutenant governor of Virginia, and is the first woman of color and first Jamaican-born American citizen elected to statewide office in Virginia.

Early life, education, and career before politics

Sears was born in Kingston, Jamaica on March 11, 1964, and she immigrated to the United States at the age of six. She grew up in the Bronx, New York City. Sears earned an A.A. from Tidewater Community College, a B.A. in English with a minor in economics from Old Dominion University and an M.A. in organizational leadership from Regent University.

Sears served as an electrician in the United States Marines from 1983 to 1986. Before running for public office, Sears ran a homeless shelter.

Political career

In November 2001, Sears upset 20-year Democratic incumbent Billy Robinson while running for the 90th district seat in Virginia's House of Delegates, becoming the first Jamaican female Republican, first female veteran, and first naturalized citizen delegate, to serve in the body. In 2004, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi appointed her to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.

In 2004, Sears unsuccessfully challenged Democrat Bobby Scott for Virginia's 3rd congressional district seat. She received 31% of the vote.

Governor Bob McDonnell appointed Sears to the Virginia Board of Education in 2011.

In September 2018, Sears entered the race for U.S. Senate as a write-in candidate after Corey Stewart won the Republican nomination. She received less than 1% of the vote.

As of November 2021, Sears owns an appliance and plumbing repair store in Virginia.

Lieutenant Governor of Virginia

2021 lieutenant gubernatorial election

On May 11, 2021, Sears won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor of Virginia on the fifth ballot, defeating former state delegate and second-place finisher Tim Hugo 54% to 46%. On November 2, 2021, she won the race along with gubernatorial candidate Glenn Youngkin. She was inaugurated as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Virginia on January 15, 2022. She is the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia as well as the first black woman lieutenant governor and statewide office-holder in the Commonwealth.

Tenure

In a November 2021 interview, Sears (then lieutenant-governor elect) repeated a series of commonly held falsehoods about COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines. She also declined to state whether she had been vaccinated against COVID-19 and expressed opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Political positions

Abortion

Sears expressed an anti-abortion stance during her 2004 campaign against representative Bobby Scott. During her campaign for lieutenant governor, Sears provoked controversy by stating that she would support a "heartbeat bill" such as the Texas Heartbeat Act, making abortion illegal as soon as fetal heartbeat can be detected. She has stated that abortion should be allowed in cases of rape or incest, or to prevent harm to a pregnant woman.

Cannabis

In 2021, Sears said she supported medical marijuana but opposed the legalization of marijuana for recreational use.

Education

Sears has called for the opening more charter school, lab schools, and virtual schools in Virginia.

Sears has repeatedly complained about critical race theory (CRT) being taught in Virginia schools, though critics have denied that it is being taught. The fact-checking website Politifact rated as "False" Glenn Youngkin's claim that critical race theory has "moved into all of our schools in Virginia"; the site found that, though CRT had been discussed among educators, it was not part of the state's "Standards of Learning" and a number of school districts denied teaching it to students. Similarly, Sears's claim that Loudoun County Public Schools had spent $300,000 on CRT training was found "mostly false"; the fact-check found that the county had spent only $34,000 on CRT training for senior officials as part of a larger investment in racial equity. Sears contended that the academic theory was "definitely being taught in some form or fashion", and accused critics of using "semantics" to deny it.

After COVID-19 interrupted schooling in the state, Sears floated the possibilities of having year-round school or longer school days to make up lost educational time.

Gay rights

Sears's opposition to gay marriage was an element of her 2004 campaign against representative Bobby Scott. She wrote a 2004 op-ed in the Daily Press stating that she strongly supported a constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between a man and a woman, and expressing a belief that "our society has gone immeasurably beyond almost all standards in accommodating the homosexual community over the last couple of decades." In 2021, the LGBT advocacy group Human Rights Campaign stated that Sears's previous political campaigns were run on "staunch opposition to LGBTQ rights".

Gun rights

Sears is an outspoken supporter of gun rights. During her 2021 lieutenant gubernatorial campaign, she frequently posed with a military-style rifle in social media posts, a campaign mailer, and a campaign sign. Her campaign poses with guns were polarizing; they were criticized by some, but also increased her prominence among Republicans, helping elevate her from political obscurity.

Accusations of being a white supremacist

The Atlantic writer Jemele Hill said of Sears, "It’s not the messaging, folks. This country simply loves white supremacy."

Vanderbilt University Professor Michael Eric Dyson said of Sears, "The problem is, here, they want white supremacy by ventriloquist effect... There is a black mouth moving but a white idea running on the runway of the tongue of a figure who justifies and legitimates the white supremacist practices."

Personal life

Sears is married to Terence Sears. She has had three daughters. One of Sears's daughters died in a 2012 car crash, along with Sears's two young granddaughters. As of 2016, she and her family resided in Winchester. She is a devout Christian, and authored a Christian self-help book, Stop Being a Christian Wimp!, before entering politics.

Electoral history

References

1. ^ Turner, Mikea (January 14, 2022). "Winsome Sears to make history as first woman - & Black woman - to be Virginia's Lt. Governor". WWBT. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
2. ^ Chandelis Duster. "Winsome Sears will become Virginia lieutenant governor, CNN projects, becoming first female and woman of color in the office". CNN. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
3. Graf, Heather (October 26, 2021). "Lieutenant governor race in Virginia: Meet Republican candidate Winsome Sears". WJLA. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
4. McLeod, Sheri-Kae (May 24, 2021). "Jamaican-born Winsome Earle Sears Wins Republican Party Nod for Lieutenant Gov".
5. "Biography of Winsome Sears". Vote Smart. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
6. ^ Caine, Andrew (January 21, 2021). "Winsome Sears launches GOP bid for lieutenant governor". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
7. Carroll, Fred (September 21, 2004). "Sears, Scott Square off in Debate". Daily Press. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
8. ^ "General Election – November 6, 2001". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 24, 2008.
9. "With victory, Sears broke down barriers". The Washington Times. November 23, 2001.
10. "Del. Sears visits Old Dominion class Tuesday". News at Old Dominion University. November 22, 2002. Retrieved November 24, 2008.
11. Lewis, Bob (December 15, 2001). "Black GOP Woman Stuns Va. Politics". Norfolk, Va.: Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
12. New Members Appointed to Committee on Women Veterans (press release), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (January 26, 2004).
13. ^ "General Election – November 2, 2004". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved April 16, 2013.
14. Antonio Olivo, Back in the Virginia political spotlight, Winsome Sears seeks to lift GOP in bid for lieutenant governor, Washington Post (October 15, 2021).
15. Wilson, Patrick (September 18, 2018). "Former GOP state delegate wants Republicans to write in her name for U.S. Senate instead of voting for Corey Stewart". Roanoke Times.
16. "Official 2018 November General Election Results, Virginia". Retrieved September 17, 2021.
17. ^ Freeman, James (November 3, 2021). "Leading Like a Marine in Virginia". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
18. Olivo, Antonio (May 11, 2021). "Winsome Sears, former state delegate, Wins GOP nomination for Virginia lieutenant Governor". Washington Post.
19. Panetta, Grace; Seddiq, Oma (November 2, 2021). "Republican Winsome Sears defeats Hala Ayala in Virginia lieutenant governor's race". Business Insider. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
20. Pellish, Aaron (November 21, 2021). "Virginia's incoming lieutenant governor questions Covid vaccines for those who've had the virus before". CNN. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
21. ^ Carroll, Fred (October 12, 2004). "Candidates Clash in Debate". Daily Press.
22. ^ Ley, Ana (January 21, 2010). "Winsome E. Sears, once a local Republican on the rise, announces bid for lieutenant governor". The Virginia-Pilot.
23. Paviour, Ben (January 13, 2022). "Virginia's first Black woman lieutenant governor says we need to move on from slavery". NPR.
24. ^ Barakat, Matthew (November 13, 2021). "History-making Winsome Sears ready to work in Virginia". Associated Press. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
25. DeFusco, Jackie (October 29, 2021). "Virginia's choice for lieutenant governor could impact marijuana, abortion, gun control". WRIC. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
26. Jarvis, Brandon (August 11, 2021). "The retail legalization of marijuana could be significantly impacted by November's elections in Virginia". VA Scope. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
27. Minock, Nick (February 13, 2022). "Va. Lt. Gov. wants to expand charter schools; Sen. Lucas against using public school funds". WSET-TVA. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
28. Earle-Sears, Winsome (February 5, 2022). "Winsome Earle-Sears column: Creating a better education for Virginia's next generation". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved February 17, 2022. We can do that with an Education Savings Account, by utilizing the Virginia Education Improvement Scholarship Tax Credit, and by opening more charter schools, lab schools and virtual schools.
29. Cane, Clay (January 18, 2022). "Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Sears Continues To Comment About Critical Race Theory Even Though It's Not Being Taught In Her State". BET. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
30. Fiske, Warren (August 10, 2021). "Youngkin offers little proof critical race theory is in 'all' Virginia schools". Politifact.
31. Fiske, Warren (January 24, 2022). "Did Loudoun County, Va. schools pay 'about $300,000' for critical race theory training?". Politifact.
32. Nelson, Joshua Q. (January 17, 2022). "Winsome Sears rips critical race theory: 'Our children are not learning' in school".
33. "Year-round school? Longer days in the classroom? How to make up the learning loss deficit". ABC 7 News. February 17, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
34. Sears, Winsome (March 22, 2004). "Another Voice: Marriage Deserves Preservation". Daily Press. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
35. Wyatt, Ronan (May 12, 2021). "Virginia Republican Party Nominates Anti-LGBTQ Candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General". Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
36. Julie Carey, Va. GOP Nomination for Lt. Gov. Draws Controversy With Campaign Photo of Rifle, NBC Washington (May 14, 2021).
37. Winsome Sears clinches the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor, rounding out the Republican ticket, Prince William Times (May 11, 2021): "She may be most known for a campaign photo showing the former Marine posing with a military rifle."
38. Virginia Lt Gov-Elect Winsome Sears slams Jemele Hill after sports writer blames 'white supremacy' for her win, Fox News, November 3, 2021
39. MSNBC Guest on Winsome Sears: ‘There Is a Black Mouth Moving but a White Idea Running on the Runway of the Tongue’, National Review, November 5, 2021
40. Mirshahi, Dean (January 15, 2022). "Winsome Sears, the first woman of color to hold statewide office in Virginia, sworn in as lieutenant governor". wavy.com.
41. Clayton, Cindy. "Ex-local delegate loses three relatives in fatal wreck". Pilot Online. The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
42. "Sterling Women of Winchester: Past Events". sterlingwomen.org. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
43. Olivo, Antonio; Vozzella, Laura (January 22, 2022). "Virginia lieutenant governor Earle-Sears makes her mark in Richmond during tumultuous first week". Washington Post.
44. Robertson, Campbell (December 27, 2021). "'I Look Like the Strategy': Winsome Sears Wants Black Voters to Rethink the G.O.P." New York Times.
45. "General Election – November 2, 2021". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved November 17, 2021.

External links

• Official website
• "Winsome E Sears". Virginia Public Access Project.
• Appearances on C-SPAN

v t e Statewide political officials of Virginia
U.S. senators	Mark Warner Tim Kaine
State government	Glenn Youngkin, Governor Winsome Sears, Lieutenant Governor Jason Miyares, Attorney General Kelly Gee, Secretary of the Commonwealth (appointed) David L. Richardson, Treasurer (appointed)
Senate	Winsome Sears, President Louise Lucas, President pro tempore Scott Surovell, Majority Leader Ryan McDougle, Minority Leader
House	Don Scott, Speaker Charniele Herring, Majority Leader Todd Gilbert, Minority Leader
Supreme Court	Active justices S. Bernard Goodwyn, Chief Justice Cleo Powell D. Arthur Kelsey Stephen R. McCullough Teresa M. Chafin Wesley G. Russell Jr. Thomas P. Mann Senior justices Charles S. Russell Lawrence L. Koontz Jr. LeRoy F. Millette Jr.

v t e Lieutenant governors of Virginia
Leake McComas Jackson Montague S. Price (disputed) Polsley (disputed) Cowper Lewis Marye Withers Thomas Walker Lewis Massey Tyler Kent Echols Willard Ellyson Buchanan West J. Price Holt Tuck Collins Stephens Godwin Pollard Reynolds Howell Dalton Robb Davis Wilder Beyer Hager Kaine Bolling Northam Fairfax Sears

• 1964 births
• 20th-century African-American people
• 20th-century African-American women
• 21st-century African-American women
• 21st-century African-American politicians
• 21st-century American politicians
• 21st-century American women politicians
• African-American Christians
• African-American people in Virginia politics
• African-American state legislators in Virginia
• African-American women in politics
• Candidates in the 2004 United States elections
• Candidates in the 2018 United States Senate elections
• Christians from Virginia
• Black conservatism in the United States
• Female United States Marine Corps personnel
• Jamaican emigrants to the United States
• Lieutenant Governors of Virginia
• Living people
• Members of the Virginia House of Delegates
• Military personnel from New York City
• Old Dominion University alumni
• Politicians from the Bronx
• Politicians from Kingston, Jamaica
• Politicians from Norfolk, Virginia
• Regent University alumni
• Tidewater Community College alumni
• United States Marines
• Virginia Republicans
• Women state legislators in Virginia