¶ Overview
Winsome Earle-Sears has long opposed access to abortion. She traces her identity as a Republican to the anti-choice movement, has spread conspiracy theories about abortion providers, and opposed exceptions for rape and incest. Earle-Sears said she would support a six week abortion ban here in Virginia.
¶ Winsome Earle-Sears Is A Long-Time Anti-Abortion Extremist
¶ Earle-Sears Vehemently Opposed Abortion And Her Opposition To Abortion Appeared To Be Foundational To Her Republican Identity
¶ Earle-Sears “Firmly” Opposed Abortion
WTOP Described Earle-Sears As “A Staunch Conservative” Who Was “Firmly Against Abortion.” According to WTOP, “While Earle-Sears is the likely Republican nominee, Rep. Abigail Spanberger is the likely Democratic nominee, and the two have polar opposite views when it comes to abortion. For example, Spanberger supports a proposed amendment being considered by state lawmakers that seeks to codify abortion rights in the Virginia constitution. Earle-Sears, a staunch conservative who speaks frequently about her Christian faith, is firmly against abortion. ‘Does Abigail have a limit, or is it that you can have an abortion right up until the time the baby could be born?’ Earle-Sears asked. ‘That’s what I would like to know from her.’” [WTOP, 11/26/24]
¶ Earle-Sears Conflated Spanberger’s General Support For Abortion Rights To Abortion Later In Pregnancy
Earle-Sears Suggested Spanberger Supported Abortion Later In Pregnancy, Asking “Does Abigail Have A Limit, Or Is It That You Can Have An Abortion Right Up Until The Time The Baby Could Be Born?” According to WTOP, “While Earle-Sears is the likely Republican nominee, Rep. Abigail Spanberger is the likely Democratic nominee, and the two have polar opposite views when it comes to abortion. For example, Spanberger supports a proposed amendment being considered by state lawmakers that seeks to codify abortion rights in the Virginia constitution. Earle-Sears, a staunch conservative who speaks frequently about her Christian faith, is firmly against abortion. ‘Does Abigail have a limit, or is it that you can have an abortion right up until the time the baby could be born?’ Earle-Sears asked. ‘That’s what I would like to know from her.’” [WTOP, 11/26/24]
¶ In Her Memoir, Earle-Sears Wrote That She Realized She Was A Republican After Hearing George H.W. Bush Campaign Against Abortion
In Her 2023 Memoir, Earle-Sears Wrote That She Realized She Was A Republican After Hearing George H.W. Bush Say He Would “Reduce Abortion.” In her 2023 memoir “How Sweet It Is: Defending the American Dream,” Winsome Earle-Sears wrote, “It was the political season leading up to the national election of 1988. Television was filled with political commercials. I was watching one after another as I cared for the kids. Michael Dukakis in his commercial said he was going to expand abortion, that he was going to increase taxes. Furthermore, he was going to expand the government welfare program and other government programs. I thought: Wait. Wait one minute here. I don’t believe in any of that. Then right behind Dukakis, Bush aired his commercials. ‘I will reduce abortion.’ Now that sat well with me because I’d just had my baby three months prior. Bush went on to say, ‘I’m going to reduce your taxes.’ I thought, that’s excellent, I’m cheap! Well, the kids call me cheap. I like to think of it as frugal. Reduce my taxes! Then he said something that blew my mind, and it was the political turning point of my life. I’ll never forget it. ‘If all you ever have is welfare, you will never have anything to pass on to your children.’ […] I said to myself, ‘Oh, my God. I’m a Republican.’” [Earle-Sears, Winsome. “How Sweet It Is: Defending the American Dream.” Center Street, 8/1/23]
In Her Memoir, Earle-Sears Said That Her Opposition To Abortion Contributed To Her Decision To Run For U.S. Congress In 2004
In Her 2023 Memoir, Earle-Sears Wrote In Her Memoir That Rep. Bobby Scott’s Vote Against A Law That Blocked Interstate Travel For Abortion Motivating Factor In Her Decision To Run For Congress Against Him In 2004. In her 2023 memoir “How Sweet It Is: Defending the American Dream,” Winsome Earle-Sears wrote, “Running for U.S. Congress was not my idea. I said no at first. I told them I was done with politics and my daughters needed me. But then I was confronted with the votes that my eventual opponent had taken over the years. One that stood out was Bobby Scott's vote against the Child Custody Protection Act.1 The law would have prohibited an individual from taking somebody else's underage daughter across state lines to get an abortion. It could be your daughter. It could be mine. Such a person could then just drop her back home as if nothing had happened. And of course we know that a lot of underage girls are sexually trafficked by much older men. They're not prosecuted if they take a girl in for an abortion.” [Earle-Sears, Winsome. “How Sweet It Is: Defending the American Dream.” Center Street, 8/1/23]
¶ In 2021, Earle-Sears Told The Daily Press: “I Will Continue To Fight To Protect The Life Of The Baby In The Womb”
2021: Earle-Sears Said: “I Will Continue To Fight To Protect The Life Of The Baby In The Womb.” Asked in a Daily Press Q&A “Is there a particular gubernatorial candidate you're campaigning with or you want to see win? How would you handle the job if another candidate or a Democrat won?” Winsome Earle-Sears responded, “I have been endorsed by three 2021 Gubernatorial candidates; however, I have chosen to run my own race and focus on the important issues that voters request of their next Lieutenant Governor. I'm looking forward to working with whomever Conservatives choose as our next nominee. I will continue to fight to protect the life of the baby in the womb and our Second Amendment right held by the voters who will have chosen to put me in office.” [Winsome Earle-Sears – Daily Press Q&A, 5/7/21]
¶ In 2004, Earle-Sears Said “Life Begins At Conception, And I Will Not Support Abortion”
2004: Earle-Sears Said “Life Begins At Conception, And I Will Not Support Abortion” At A Debate With Her Democratic Opponent For U.S. Congress. According to the Virginian-Pilot, “With six weeks remaining before the Nov. 2 election, the candidates outlined their differences during their second debate, which was held at The Dwelling Place, a Christian center that serves college-age students. Sears, a Republican and former state delegate, repeatedly attacked Scott for not standing up for the district and instead toeing his party's line. ‘My opponent has voted against you,’ she said to the crowd of more than 400. Sears hammered away at the Democratic incumbent on a number of issues, including taxes, Iraq, abortion and same-sex marriages. […] Sears said she opposes abortion. ‘Life begins at conception, and I will not support abortion,’ she said. Scott favors a woman's right to choose.” [Virginian-Pilot, 9/21/04]
¶ In 2001, Earle-Sears Wrote That The Constitution “Guarantees Each Of Us The Right To Life”
2001: Earle-Sears Wrote “Our Constitution Guarantees Each Of Us The Right To Life” In Response To A Candidate Q&A. Asked by the Virginian-Pilot “should Virginia change its restrictions on abortion? How? Or why not?” Winsome Earle-Sears replied, “Our constitution guarantees each of us the right to life. To be more explicit, life comes from God. Too many babies will never see their lives fulfilled. If a mind is a terrible thing to waste, then how much more so a life?” [Winsome Earle-Sears – Virginian-Pilot Q&A, 10/29/01]
¶ Earle-Sears Said She Was A “Republican In Large Part” Because She Opposed Abortion
2001: Earle-Sears Said In An Endorsement Interview With The Virginian-Pilot Editorial Board That She Was A “Republican In Large Part” Because She Opposed Abortion. According to an opinion from the Virginian-Pilot Editorial Board, “There are several reasons not to re-elect William P. ‘Billy’ Robinson in the 90th House District, as well as several reasons to vote for him. Two years ago, we endorsed an independent over him. This year, if his Republican opponent, political neophyte Winsome E. Sears, were qualified, we'd endorse her in a heartbeat. But she's not. It can be argued that Sears is more likely to grow in office than Robinson is to stop missing court dates - though a recent night in jail for still another missed date may have captured his attention. Small fines for previous failures never did. He has also been late paying taxes in the past, and Robinson has repeatedly abused legislative privilege to delay hearings and trials. That's a sorry record. Sears, 37, is a former director of the Salvation Army's homeless shelter in Chesapeake. She is a graduate student at Regent University. The first thing she said in an endorsement interview was, ‘I am a Christian before I am a Republican.’ She is a Republican in large part because she opposes abortion. Also, she believes the Republican Party ‘empowers’ people, while Democrats make them dependent on government. Her understanding of state government is limited, her recommendations general and vague. For example, she favors cutting out duplication to gain more money for education. Who wouldn't? But where's the duplication?” [Editorial Board Opinion – The Virginian-Pilot, 11/2/01]
A Wall Street Journal Opinion Highlighted That Earle-Sears Credited Michael Dukakis’ Presidential Campaign For Her Decision To Become A Republican As She Was Under The Impression He Campaigned On “How The Right Of Abortion Couldn't Be Restricted In Any Way, Shape Or Form.” According to a John Fund opinion from the Wall Street Journal, “She credits her conversion to the Republican Party to the candidacy of Michael Dukakis for president. ‘He would talk about how only government could help the downtrodden lift themselves up and how the right of abortion couldn't be restricted in any way, shape or form,’ she recalls. ‘I just knew then that I had been a lazy Democrat and I never looked back. I became a Republican.’” [John Fund Opinion – Wall Street Journal, 11/8/01]
¶ Earle-Sears Supported Abortion Bans In Virginia As Early As Six Weeks And 15 Weeks
¶ At An Anti-Abortion March In Richmond In 2024, Earle-Sears Called For Changes To Virginia’s Abortion Laws
Associated Press: “Youngkin, Earle-Sears Join Annual Anti-Abortion Demonstration In Richmond” [Associated Press, 2/21/24]
2024: At An Anti-Abortion Rally, Earle-Sears Said “Let’s Pray That Our Legislators Will Change And The Laws Will Change.” According to the Associated Press, “Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, both Republicans, joined thousands of Virginia activists Wednesday for an annual anti-abortion demonstration, where attendees denounced Democratic lawmakers who have blocked proposed restrictions since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Earle-Sears, who addressed a rally just outside the Capitol before attendees marched through downtown Richmond, joined other speakers in calling for housing, support and other resources for expectant parents. She also expressed compassion for women who have had abortions and exhorted attendees to keep up their advocacy. ‘Let’s pray that hearts will be changed. Let’s pray that our legislators will change and the laws will change,’ said Earle-Sears, whose voice broke with emotion at the start of her remarks.” [Associated Press, 2/21/24]
¶ In June 2022, Earle-Sears Called For A 15-Week Abortion Ban In Virginia
June 28, 2022: In An Interview With Virginia Capitol Bureau Reporter Jackie DeFusco, Earle-Sears “Expressed Support For A Ban On Most Abortion After 15 Weeks.” According to WRIC ABC 8News, “In a politically divided General Assembly, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears could be the tie-breaking vote on abortion policies. Sears sat down with Virginia Capitol Bureau Reporter Jackie DeFusco to discuss her views on Tuesday. She expressed support for a ban on most abortion after 15 weeks but was less clear about other issues. Now that Roe v. Wade has been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, abortion rights will be decided by each state. Access in Virginia will not be immediately impacted by the ruling but that could change down the road if Republicans get their way. ‘I believe the baby in the womb wants to live. Now we have to make sure that we take care of the life and the health of the mother and, of course, rape and incest. But at the same time, I thought, this is excellent. We get an opportunity to talk about this some more,’ Sears said.” [WRIC ABC 8News, 6/28/22]
- Earle-Sears Said She Agreed With Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Proposal To Ban Abortion After 15 Weeks. According to WRIC ABC 8News, “Last week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said he would support a bill banning most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Some argue that’s when a fetus can feel pain, though that’s contested. Asked how many weeks into a pregnancy she thinks abortion should be banned, Sears said, ‘Well, the Governor has said that he’s putting forward 15 weeks. I think that’s an agreeable time period.’” [WRIC ABC 8News, 6/28/22]
- Earle-Sears Declined To Walk Back Her Earlier Support For A Six-Week Abortion Ban, But Called For A 15-Week Abortion Ban In The Mean Time. According to WRIC ABC 8News, “During her campaign, Sears said in an interview with Newsmax that she would support an abortion ban once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, usually around six weeks into pregnancy. This would be similar to the law that took effect in Texas last fall. She didn’t give a direct answer to the same question in a subsequent interview before the election. Asked on Tuesday if she is walking back that position, Sears said, ‘I’m not sure that I’m walking that back. I’m just saying 15 weeks. Let’s do the 15 weeks.’ Asked if she would support a more restrictive ban if Republicans had the votes down the road, as some anti-abortion groups have called for, Sears said, ‘I don’t know if they will or won’t. What I’m telling you is 15 weeks.’” [WRIC ABC 8News, 6/28/22]
¶ In September 2021, Earle-Sears Told Newsmax That She Would Support An Abortion Ban Similar To Texas’ Six-Week Ban
The Hill: “Virginia GOP Lt. Gov. Nominee Says She Would Support Heartbeat Abortion Legislation” [The Hill, 9/4/21]
September 3, 2021: Earle-Sears Said She Would Support A “Heartbeat Bill” Similar To One Passed In Texas That Banned Abortion As Early As Six Weeks Into A Pregnancy. According to The Hill, “Virginia Republican lieutenant gubernatorial nominee Winsome Sears said on Friday that she would support heartbeat abortion legislation amid the fallout over a Texas law that bans abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. ‘Well, I can tell you that would be me, that I would support [it],’ Sears told Newsmax on Friday.” [The Hill, 9/4/21]
- Earle-Sears Once Said She Would Support “Heartbeat” Legislation, Which Would Prohibit Abortion Once An Embryo’s Heartbeat Were Detected. According to WRIC ABC 8News, “Sears, who previously stated that she would support ‘heartbeat’ abortion legislation which would ban the practice as soon as an embryo’s heartbeat can be detected, delivered a speech during the rally.” [WRIC ABC 8News, 6/26/22]
¶ In October 2021, A Month After Voicing Support For Texas’ Heartbeat Ban, Earle-Sears Refused To Say Whether She Would Support A Ban On Abortion At A Certain Number Of Weeks
October 29, 2021: Earle-Sears Refused To Answer Whether She Would Support A Texas-Style Abortion Ban In Virginia, And Would Not Say Whether She Would Support A Ban At A Certain Number Of Post Fertilization Weeks. According to WRIC ABC 8News, “While Sears has previously stated that she would support a Texas-style abortion ban in Virginia, she appeared to backtrack in an interview on Friday. Asked if she would support a fetal heartbeat bill, Sears said, ‘I haven’t really looked at that,’ adding that she thinks there should be exceptions for rape, incest and when the life of a mother is in danger. Sears wouldn’t say how many weeks into a pregnancy she thinks abortion should be banned otherwise. ‘I’m going to say asked and answered,’ Sears repeated twice without answering the question.” [WRIC ABC 8News, 10/29/21]
¶ Earle-Sears Cheered The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade: “This Is Excellent”
¶ In June 2022, Earle-Sears Said “This Is Excellent,” About The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade, And Said “I Believe The Baby In The Womb Wants To Live”
2022: Earle-Sears Said “This Is Excellent,” About The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade, And Said “I Believe The Baby In The Womb Wants To Live.” According to WRIC ABC 8News, “In a politically divided General Assembly, Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears could be the tie-breaking vote on abortion policies. Sears sat down with Virginia Capitol Bureau Reporter Jackie DeFusco to discuss her views on Tuesday. She expressed support for a ban on most abortion after 15 weeks but was less clear about other issues. Now that Roe v. Wade has been struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, abortion rights will be decided by each state. Access in Virginia will not be immediately impacted by the ruling but that could change down the road if Republicans get their way. ‘I believe the baby in the womb wants to live. Now we have to make sure that we take care of the life and the health of the mother and, of course, rape and incest. But at the same time, I thought, this is excellent. We get an opportunity to talk about this some more,’ Sears said.” [WRIC ABC 8News, 6/28/22]
¶ In June 2022, Earle-Sears Attended A Family Foundation Of Virginia Zoom Event, Where She Celebrated The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade And Said “The Fight Has Only Just Begun”
June 2022: Earle-Sears Attended A Family Foundation Of Virginia Zoom Event Hosted To Celebrate The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade. According to American Journal News, “Last Friday, the United States Supreme Court overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which guaranteed Americans’ constitutional right to have abortions. On Tuesday night, the conservative Family Foundation of Virginia hosted a Zoom event to celebrate the Court’s decision. At the event, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears rejected abortion rights entirely and claimed that after conception, ‘The baby isn’t even [the mother’s] body, she’s got her own body. The blood running through the veins of the baby don’t belong to her, it’s not her blood.’” [American Journal News, 7/1/22]
¶ After The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade, Earle-Sears Said: “The Fight Has Only Just Begun… I Am On The Side Of Right. This Is The Right Thing… And God Is Pleased, So It Doesn’t Really Matter”
Earle-Sears Said On A Zoom Call After The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade, “The Fight Has Only Just Begun… I Am On The Side Of Right. This Is The Right Thing… And God Is Pleased, So It Doesn’t Really Matter.” According to American Journal News, “Last Friday, the United States Supreme Court overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which guaranteed Americans’ constitutional right to have abortions. On Tuesday night, the conservative Family Foundation of Virginia hosted a Zoom event to celebrate the Court’s decision. At the event, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears rejected abortion rights entirely and claimed that after conception, ‘The baby isn’t even [the mother’s] body, she’s got her own body. The blood running through the veins of the baby don’t belong to her, it’s not her blood. […] Abortion rights are still broadly popular in Virginia. Polling conducted in the wake of the leaked draft decision overturning Roe found that 59% of residents did not support the Court’s decision. But Sears was quick to reject popular opinion on Tuesday night. ‘The fight has only just begun,’ she said. ‘I am on the side of right. This is the right thing … and God is pleased, so it doesn’t really matter.’” [American Journal News, 7/1/22]
¶ Earle-Sears Opposed Exceptions For Rape And Incest, But Later Expressed Inconsistent Views On Exceptions
¶ In June 2022, Earle-Sears Said “I Believe The Baby In The Womb Wants To Live” But Said We Should “Take Care Of The Life And The Health Of The Mother, And, Of Course, Rape And Incest”
2022: Earle-Sears Said “I Believe The Baby In The Womb Wants To Live” And That “We Have To Make Sure That We Take Care Of The Life And The Health Of The Mother, And, Of Course, Rape And Incest.” According to WRIC ABC 8News, “‘I believe the baby in the womb wants to live. Now we have to make sure that we take care of the life and the health of the mother and, of course, rape and incest. But at the same time, I thought, this is excellent. We get an opportunity to talk about this some more,’ Sears said.” [WRIC ABC 8News, 6/28/22]
¶ In January 2021, Earle-Sears Said She Wanted To Make Abortion Illegal In All Cases With Only An Exception For “Life Of The Mother”
2021: Earle-Sears Told The Winchester Star That She Wanted To “Make Abortion Illegal In All Cases, Unless The Life Of The Mother Is At Risk.” According to the Winchester Star, “Stephenson resident and former House of Delegates member Winsome Sears announced Thursday that she is seeking the Republican nomination to run for Virginia lieutenant governor in the Nov. 2 election. Sears, who is president and owner of Shenandoah Appliance Plumbing & Electric in Winchester, joins four other candidates seeking the GOP nod. […] Sears said in an interview that she wants to make abortion illegal in all cases, unless the life of the mother is at risk.” [Winchester Star, 1/22/21]
¶ In 2004, The Virginian-Pilot Described Earle-Sears As A “Religious Conservative” Who “Opposes Abortion Even In Cases Of Rape And Incest”
2004: Earle-Sears Was A “Religious Conservative Who Backs The Death Penalty And Opposes Abortion Even In Cases Of Rape And Incest.” According to the Virginian-Pilot, “Rep. Robert C. ‘Bobby’ Scott doesn't normally have to worry about re-election. After a quarter-century in public office, including a decade on Capitol Hill, the veteran Democrat and Newport News attorney is a political powerhouse and something of a household name. Scott hasn't faced a major party opponent in eight years. Even when he does, he typically racks up nearly 80 percent of the vote. But this year, Republican Party officials say they are cautiously optimistic about their chances of ousting Virginia's only black congressman. The reason, they say, is Winsome E. Sears: a former state legislator and retired Marine who has already made history as the first black female Republican elected to the General Assembly. […] Sears, by contrast, is a religious conservative who backs the death penalty and opposes abortion even in cases of rape and incest. Sears said Scott's opposition to Bush's faith-based initiative is a prime example of how the congressman is out of touch with his mostly black constituents. ‘Churches are the foundation of our lives,’ Sears said. ‘It's what got us through slavery.’” [Virginian-Pilot, 3/21/04]
¶ Earle-Sears Said The Only Abortion Exception She Believed In Was For The Life Of The Mother
2004: Earle-Sears Said She Opposed Abortion Except For When The Woman’s Life Was At Stake. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Scott said he favors Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal. The only way to ensure that this remains the law of the land is to elect Kerry as president, so he would not appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn the decision, he said. Sears said she favors abortion only when the life of the mother is at stake. Since Roe v. Wade, 14 million black children have been aborted, she said.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 10/13/04]
¶ Earle-Sears Referred To Abortion As A “Plague,” “Genocide,” “Infanticide,” And “Wicked”
¶ In 2023, Earle-Sears Wrote In Her Memoir That Abortion Was A “Scourge” And A “Plague” For Black People, And Lamented The Prevalence Of Abortion Among Black Women
2023: Earle-Sears Wrote That Abortion Was “A Scourge For Black People, A Eugenics Project Run Against The Black Family,” And Lamented The Prevalence Of Abortion Among Black Women. In her 2023 memoir “How Sweet It Is: Defending the American Dream,” Winsome Earle-Sears wrote, “Abortion is a scourge for Black people, a eugenics project run against the Black family. Bobby Scott has to this day, eighteen years later, a National Abortion Rights Action League score of 100 percent. This means he has been given an A-plus by the biggest abortion lobby in the world. A perfect record. Appalling on his part. Black women make up about 6.2 percent of the Virginia population but have 41 percent of the abortions.” [Earle-Sears, Winsome. “How Sweet It Is: Defending the American Dream.” Center Street, 8/1/23]
2023: Earle-Sears Wrote In Her Memoir, “Abortion Is A Plague On Black People… If We Black People Don’t Vote Differently, We Will Continue To Have The Same Problems.” In her 2023 memoir “How Sweet It Is: Defending the American Dream,” Winsome Earle-Sears wrote, “After I was asked to run, nobody would give me money. It was the same old same old. I encountered the Democrats' political machine in the Black community head-on. I'd meet church members who were deeply concerned about the effects of these terrible choices our culture and institutions had made. Abortion is a plague on Black people. There's much I could say here, but suffice to say that if we Black people don't vote differently, we will continue to have the same problems.” [Earle-Sears, Winsome. “How Sweet It Is: Defending the American Dream.” Center Street, 8/1/23]
¶ At A 2022 Anti-Abortion Rally, Earle-Sears Said “Abortion Is Wicked”
2022: In A March For Life Speech, Earle-Sears Said “Abortion Is Wicked” And Claimed That The Public Support For Abortion Access Would Fall If Only Black Women Could Get Abortions. According to WRIC ABC 8News, “Sears, who previously stated that she would support ‘heartbeat’ abortion legislation which would ban the practice as soon as an embryo’s heartbeat can be detected, delivered a speech during the rally. ‘We know abortion is wicked, because if I were to put in a bill today… and the bill says this: abortion is only allowed in Virginia if you are a Black woman. Think about that, only Black women in Virginia could get an abortion, no one else,’ said Sears during her speech. ‘You know what we would say to ourselves? ‘Wait a minute, why are they trying to kill all the Black babies?’ You see, then it comes home to us that abortion is wicked.’” [WRIC ABC 8News, 6/26/22]
¶ Earle-Sears Said She Considered Abortion “Genocide”
2021: Earle-Sears Told The Winchester Star That She Considered Abortion “Genocide” And Urged For “Unwanted Babies” To Be Placed For Adoption Instead. According to the Winchester Star, “Stephenson resident and former House of Delegates member Winsome Sears announced Thursday that she is seeking the Republican nomination to run for Virginia lieutenant governor in the Nov. 2 election. Sears, who is president and owner of Shenandoah Appliance Plumbing & Electric in Winchester, joins four other candidates seeking the GOP nod. […] Sears said in an interview that she wants to make abortion illegal in all cases, unless the life of the mother is at risk. She said she considers abortion ‘genocide’ and that unwanted babies should be placed for adoption. She also supports protecting Second Amendment rights and opposes any additional forms of gun control. ‘We have so many pieces of legislation,’ Sears said. ‘Let’s focus on what we have instead of making more laws so we can say, ‘We did something, vote for me.’” [Winchester Star, 1/22/21]
Earle-Sears Said That Hypothetical Legislation Only Allowing Black Women To Receive Government-Funded Abortion Care Would Cause People To Realize The Government Tried To Kill Off The Black Population. According to Winsome Earle-Sears in an interview on Water Cooler Politics via Blue Virginia, “‘What if I wrote a bill to get passed as the law that only Black women could have abortions? What would that tell you? You would start saying to yourselves, wait a minute, wait a minute. Only Black women can have abortions and the government will pay for it. What are they trying to do, kill us off? Exactly.’” [Blue Virginia, Winsome Earle-Sears – Water Cooler Politics, 7/23/21] (VIDEO)
¶ In June 2020, Earle-Sears Reportedly Accused Planned Parenthood Of “Facilitating Black Genocide” In A Since-Deleted Tweet
June 2020: Earle-Sears Reportedly Tweeted “Let’s Make A Statue To Planned Parenthood. Responsible For Facilitating Black Genocide.” According to American Journal News, “Sears’ social media posts are full of anti-abortion messages. In January 2020, she tweeted that it was ‘too bad for the innocent unborn children whose bodies will be torn apart and lives violently destroyed … [that] Democrats will talk about caring for the poor, the immigrant, and the vulnerable, but be so callous about preborn life in the womb.’ ‘Let’s make a statue to Planned Parenthood. Responsible for facilitating Black genocide,’ she urged in June 2020. ‘Afterward, we’ll tear it down.’ In May, Sears appeared on a right-wing podcast and complained that her fellow Black mothers were not sufficiently pro-life and that abortion providers were waging an anti-Black genocide.” [American Journal News, 8/4/21]
- Earle-Sears’ Tweet About Planned Parenthood “Facilitating Black Genocide” Appeared To Have Been Deleted. According to Earle-Sears’ Twitter,
[Twitter, @WinsomeSears, Viewed 11/19/24]
¶ In May 2020, Earle-Sears Said Black Mothers Were Not “Sufficiently” Anti-Abortion And Claimed Abortion Providers Were Waging An Anti-Black Genocide”
May 2020: The American Journal News Reported That Earle-Sears Accused Black Mothers Of Not Being “Sufficiently” Anti-Abortion And Accused Abortion Providers Of “Waging An Anti-Black Genocide.” According to the American Journal News, “In May, Sears appeared on a right-wing podcast and complained that her fellow Black mothers were not sufficiently pro-life and that abortion providers were waging an anti-Black genocide.” [American Journal News, 8/4/21]
¶ In 2004, Earle-Sears Claimed That Since Roe V. Wade, 14 Million Black Children Were Aborted
2004: Earle-Sears Claimed That Since Roe V. Wade, 14 Million Black Children Were Aborted. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Scott said he favors Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal. The only way to ensure that this remains the law of the land is to elect Kerry as president, so he would not appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn the decision, he said. Sears said she favors abortion only when the life of the mother is at stake. Since Roe v. Wade, 14 million black children have been aborted, she said.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 10/13/04]
¶ In 2021, Earle-Sears Accused Then-Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam Of Engaging In “Infanticide” Due To His Support Of Abortion Rights
2021: Earle-Sears Wrote On Facebook That Then-Gov. Ralph Northam “Assaulted Life To The Point Of Infanticide,” And Claimed To Be “100% Pro-Life.” According to Earle-Sears' Facebook, “Gov. Northam has assaulted life to the point of infanticide. I believe that God creates life and the baby in the womb must be protected! #ProLife”
[Facebook, Winsome Earle-Sears, 2/13/21]
¶ Earle-Sears Made Scientifically False Statements And Embraced Conspiracy Theories In Her Anti-Abortion Rhetoric
¶ In 2022, Earle-Sears Falsely Claimed That A Fetus’ Body Was Entirely Distinct From A Pregnant Woman’s Body, And That A Pregnant Woman’s Fetus “Don’t Belong To Her… It’s Not Her Blood”
2022: Earle-Sears Said “The Mother Is Not Having A Lizard, She’s Having A Human Being Who’s Half Part Of Her,” And Claimed The Blood Running Through A Fetus Did Not Belong To The Mother. According to American Journal News, “‘Let’s come back to, we’re talking about two lives, not just one, because the mother is not having a lizard, she’s having a human being who’s half part of her. And the baby has its own body and the blood that is running through the baby isn’t even her blood, so there’s two separate bodies,’ Sears said.” [American Journal News, 7/1/22]
2022: Earle-Sears Said “The Baby Isn’t Even [The Mother’s] Body… The Blood Running Through The Veins Of The Baby Don’t Belong To Her, It’s Not Her Blood.” According to American Journal News, “Last Friday, the United States Supreme Court overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which guaranteed Americans’ constitutional right to have abortions. On Tuesday night, the conservative Family Foundation of Virginia hosted a Zoom event to celebrate the Court’s decision. At the event, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears rejected abortion rights entirely and claimed that after conception, ‘The baby isn’t even [the mother’s] body, she’s got her own body. The blood running through the veins of the baby don’t belong to her, it’s not her blood.’” [American Journal News, 7/1/22]
- American Journal News Reported That Earle-Sears’ Claim That The Blood Running Through A Fetus Was Biologically Distinct From The Mother Was Scientifically False. According to American Journal News, “At the event, Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears rejected abortion rights entirely and claimed that after conception, ‘The baby isn’t even [the mother’s] body, she’s got her own body. The blood running through the veins of the baby don’t belong to her, it’s not her blood.’ This claim is false. Until birth, a fetus’ blood is not oxygenated and receives everything necessary for survival from the mother’s blood. The fetus is sustained by nutrients and oxygen passed through the placenta, which the mother grows. While in the womb, the fetus’ liver and lungs are not fully formed, and the mother’s body performs those life-sustaining functions.’” [American Journal News, 7/1/22]
¶ In 2022, Earle-Sears Claimed “Abortuaries Sell Baby Parts,” Which American Journal News Reported Was An Anti-Abortion Talking Point Even Republican-Led Investigations Did Not Substantiate
2022: Earle-Sears Claimed “Abortuaries Sell Baby Parts,” Which American Journal News Reported Was An Anti-Abortion Talking Point That Even Republican-Led Investigations Did Not Substantiate. According to American Journal News, “Sears also referenced a widely debunked conspiracy theory, saying that ‘abortuaries sell baby parts’ — a relatively common talking point in the anti-abortion movement, which originates in claims from 2015 that Planned Parenthood sells and profits off of the sale of post-abortion fetal tissue. Even Republican-led investigations found no substance to the claim, but the idea persists. A number of Planned Parenthood clinics do donate fetal tissue to medical research institutions, but never for a profit.” [American Journal News, 7/1/22]
- Earle-Sears’ Claim Stemmed From Unfounded Accusations That Planned Parenthood Sold And Profited Off Aborted Fetal Tissue In 2015. According to American Journal News, “Sears also referenced a widely debunked conspiracy theory, saying that ‘abortuaries sell baby parts’ — a relatively common talking point in the anti-abortion movement, which originates in claims from 2015 that Planned Parenthood sells and profits off of the sale of post-abortion fetal tissue. Even Republican-led investigations found no substance to the claim, but the idea persists. A number of Planned Parenthood clinics do donate fetal tissue to medical research institutions, but never for a profit.” [American Journal News, 7/1/22]
¶ Earle-Sears Compared Pro-Abortion Rights Activists To Terrorist Supporters And The Ku Klux Klan
¶ In 2021, Earle-Sears Said That With Abortion, Black People Were “Doing To Ourselves What The KKK Could Have Never Done,” And Making The KKK “Giddy”
Blue Virginia: “Emily’s List: GOP Candidate For VA LG Spews Misinformation About Reproductive Rights, Compares ’Clinics That Provide Health Care Services To The Ku Klux Klan’” [Blue Virginia, 7/23/21]
2021: Earle-Sears Said Of Black Women Accessing Abortion Care: “We Are Doing To Ourselves What The KKK Could Never Have Done. They Are Giddy.” According to Winsome Earle-Sears in an interview on Water Cooler Politics via Blue Virginia, “‘Then when it comes to being pro-life. My God, my God, we, Black folks are now the number three minority. We used to be number one. We’re not having our babies. We are not having our babies. And that’s not to pit one minority against another. And I hate that word minority, but that’s not to pit one people, group, against another. It’s just to say, folks, we are doing to ourselves what the KKK could never have done. They are giddy. I want to ask you a question. What if I wrote a bill to get passed as the law that only Black women could have abortions? What would that tell you? You would start saying to yourselves, wait a minute, wait a minute. Only Black women can have abortions and the government will pay for it. What are they trying to do, kill us off? Exactly.’” [Blue Virginia, Winsome Earle-Sears – Water Cooler Politics, 7/23/21] (VIDEO)
¶ In 2004, Earle-Sears Said She Felt The Same Way About Abortion Rights Supporters As She Felt About People Who Support Terrorists
2004: Earle-Sears Said She Felt The Same Way About Abortion Rights Supporters As Someone Who Said They Supported Terrorists. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Winsome E. Sears, the Republican challenger in the 3rd Congressional District, attacked six-term Democratic incumbent Robert C. Scott last night on issues ranging from abortion to same-sex marriage to the war in Iraq. In a spirited debate made even more lively by the applause, cheers and catcalls of an audience estimated at 400 people, Scott parried Sears' attacks for more than an hour while assailing the policies of the Bush administration. […] The starkest differences between Scott and Sears may be in the area of social policies. Sears opposes abortion and says she feels the same way about abortion-rights supporters that she would feel about someone who says they support terrorists. Scott said simply that he supports Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/21/04]
¶ Earle-Sears Appeared To Delete Harsh Anti-Abortion Language From Her Website In The Midst Of Her 2021 Campaign For Lieutenant Governor
¶ On September 1, 2021, Earle-Sears’ Website Referred To Abortion As “Murder” And “Infanticide”
September 1, 2021: Earle-Sears’ Website Outlined Her Opposition To Abortion, Saying “God Creates Life: Whether By Test-Tube Or Natural Means,” Described Abortion As “Infanticide” As “Murder,” And Called Democratic Lawmakers “Wicked” For Supporting Abortion Rights. According to Earle-Sears’ website via Wayback Machine,
[Winsome Sears for Lieutenant Governor via Wayback Machine, 9/1/21]
¶ On September 24, 2021, The “Issues And Priorities” Page Of Earle-Sears’ Website No Longer Contained Any Stances Or Policies On The Issue Of Abortion
September 24, 2021: Earle-Sears’ “Issues And Priorities” Page Did Not Contain Any Stances Or Policies On The Issue Of Abortion. According to Earle-Sears’ website via Wayback Machine,
[Winsome Sears for Lieutenant Governor via Wayback Machine, 9/24/21]
¶ In September 2021, Following Her Embrace Of The Texas Heartbeat Ban, Earle-Sears Fired Much Of Her Campaign Team, And Anti-Abortion Language Was Removed From Her Campaign Website
September 9, 2021: Earle-Sears Fired Approximately Six Members Of Her Campaign Staff, Including Her Campaign Manager And Press Secretary. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Winsome Sears, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, let go of approximately six people on her campaign team on Wednesday. Mike Allers, who was Sears’ press secretary but is now out of a job, said he was notified by a representative of the Richmond political consulting company Creative Direct, which had been working with the Sears campaign for a few weeks. ‘Campaigns retool all the time,’ Sears said in an interview late Wednesday. ‘We’re trying to be more lean and that’s it. There is no big story here.’ ‘Campaigns retool. Glenn’s has retooled,’ she said, referring to GOP gubernatorial nominee Glenn Youngkin. ‘Everybody else’s has retooled. I’m just doing it a little bit later.’ Also let go was campaign manager CJ Jordan, Allers said, saying that approximately six people were affected. Allers said he wasn’t sure what led to the decision, had enjoyed working on the campaign and was disappointed. ‘I was not told,’ he said. Sears declined to get into specifics.” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/9/21]
September 10, 2021: The Richmond Times-Dispatch Reported That Earle-Sears’ Campaign Deleted Anti-Abortion Language From Their Campaign Website. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “Sears’ campaign website previously included information about abortion, but Democrats noticed that the information was removed in recent days. The previous information said: ‘The baby in the womb wants to live! God creates life: whether by test-tube or natural means. ... What is happening at the hands of Democrat lawmakers (like our Governor) across this country is wicked; therefore, I will do everything in my power to stop this act from taking place in Virginia.’” [Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/10/21]
¶ As A Virginia House Delegate, Earle-Sears Supported Abortion Restrictions, Including Parental Consent Laws
¶ Earle-Sears Voted Reliably For Bills Seeking Tighter Abortion Restrictions As A Member Of The Virginia House Of Delegates
2002-2003: Earle-Sears Voted Reliably For Bills Seeking Tighter Abortion Restrictions As A Member Of The Virginia House Of Delegates. According to the Associated Press, “Sears likened her fight against Scott to the biblical story of David and Goliath, then attacked her opponent's voting record in Congress on issues ranging from gay marriage to education and national security. ‘If our leaders tell us to vote for them because they are black and Democrat, but they allow our schools to fail, I say that's wrong,’ she said. ‘We are allowing it to happen by voting people into office based simply on party.’ Sears, 39, a former Marine and devout Christian, voted conservatively on most bills in the House, particularly those seeking tighter abortion restrictions. However, she was one of four Republicans to vote against repealing the estate tax last year and she supported Gov. Mark R. Warner's proposal to allow primary enforcement of the state's seat belt law.” [Associated Press, 1/19/04]
¶ Earle-Sears Supported A “Parental Consent” Law For Minors Seeking Abortions
2003: Earle-Sears Supported A “Parental Consent” Law For Minors Seeking Abortions, And Said It Was Wrong That Her Daughter Needed Permission To Get Her Teeth Pulled, “But For Her To Kill Her Baby She Does Not.” According to the Washington Times, “Lawmakers also tackled other high-profile bills, including abortion, estate-tax repeal and the budget. They rejected Mr. Warner's amendments to a bill that would require a parent's consent for girls younger than 18 seeking abortions and another outlawing a rarely performed late-term abortion procedure. Both bills passed the House and Senate again with veto-proof margins, making them law without Mr. Warner's insertions or signature. ‘What is wrong is that for my child to get her teeth pulled she needs my permission, but for her to kill her baby she does not,’ said Delegate Winsome Earle Sears, Norfolk Republican, referring to the parental-consent bill. Lawmakers, however, upheld Mr. Warner's vetoes of the ‘Choose Life’ license plates and the repeal of the estate tax Virginia imposes on the estates of millionaires after they die.” [Washington Times, 4/3/03]