Winsome Sears

Winsome Earle-Sears (born March 11, 1964) is an American politician and businesswoman. Since 2022, she has been serving as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Virginia. She is the first woman of color and Jamaican-American elected to this office. A member of the Republican Party, she served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2004.[2][3]

Winsome Sears
Winsome Sears in November 2021.jpg
Sears in 2021
42nd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Assumed office
January 15, 2022
GovernorGlenn Youngkin
Preceded byJustin Fairfax
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 90th district
In office
January 13, 2002 – January 14, 2004
Preceded byBilly Robinson
Succeeded byAlgie Howell
Personal details
Born
Winsome Earle

(1964-03-11) March 11, 1964 (age 60)
Kingston, Jamaica
Political partyDemocratic (before 1988)[1]
Republican (since 1988)
Spouse(s)Terence Sears
Children3
ResidenceWinchester, Virginia, U.S.
EducationTidewater Community College (AA)
Old Dominion University (BA)
Regent University (MA)
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Marine Corps
Years of service1983–1986
RankCorporal

Sears also served on the Virginia Board of Education. She unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Congress in Virginia's 3rd congressional district in 2004 and for U.S. Senate in 2018.

In 2021, Sears was elected lieutenant governor of Virginia.

In September 2024, Sears announced her candidacy for governor in the 2025 gubernatorial election.[4]

References

  1. "Will Winsome Earle-Sears become the first Black woman governor?". Politico. September 8, 2023.
  2. Turner, Mikea (January 14, 2022). Winsome Sears to make history as first woman - & Black woman - to be Virginia's Lt. Governor. WWBT. https://www.nbc12.com/2022/01/15/winsome-sears-make-history-first-woman-black-woman-be-virginias-lt-governor/. Retrieved January 15, 2022. 
  3. Duster, Chandelis (November 3, 2021). "Winsome Sears will become Virginia lieutenant governor, CNN projects, becoming first female and woman of color in the office". CNN. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  4. Vozzella, Laura; Schneider, Gregory S. (September 5, 2024). "Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears announces her candidacy for governor". The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/09/05/virginia-lt-gov-winsome-earle-sears-announces-her-candidacy-governor/. Retrieved September 5, 2024.