Winsome Earle-Sears

Winsome Earle-Sears (born March 11, 1964) is an American politician and Marine Corps veteran who served as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Virginia from 2022 to 2026. Sears is the first woman and woman of color ever elected to this office. A member of the Republican Party, Sears served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2004.

She served on the Virginia Board of Education from 2014 to 2015. 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 as lieutenant governor, defeating Democratic nominee Hala Ayala.

In September 2024, Sears announced her candidacy for governor in the 2025 gubernatorial election. She became the Republican nominee in April 2025. She lost the general election to former Democratic congresswoman Abigail Spanberger.

 Biography 

 Early life, education and career 
Winsome Earle was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on March 11, 1964. She immigrated to the United States at the age of six, and grew up in the Bronx, New York City. She earned an associate of arts degree from Tidewater Community College, a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in economics from Old Dominion University, and a master of arts in organizational leadership from Regent University.

Earle served as an electrician in the United States Marines from 1983 to 1986. Before running for public office, she directed a Salvation Army homeless shelter.

 Personal life 
Sears is married to Terence Sears, they have three children. One of her children died in a 2012 car crash, along with her two grandchildren. She is a Christian, and authored a Christian self-help book, Stop Being a Christian Wimp!, before entering politics.

References

Category:1964 births
Category:Living people
Category:Republican Party (United States) politicians
Category:People from Kingston, Jamaica
Category:African-American politicians
Category:Lieutenant Governors of Virginia
Category:Members of the Virginia General Assembly