Soldier of Fortune Magazine The Journal of Professional Adventurers
Good luck @WinsomeSears, an historic Lt. Governor, in presiding over the Senate and in your service to #Virginia!
“This country has done so much for me, I was willing to die for it.” She told CNN
“There are some who want to divide us and we must not let that happen. They would like us to believe we are back in 1963 when my father came,” said Sears. “We can live where we want, we can eat where want — we own the water fountains,” adding, “We’ve had a Black president elected not once but twice, and here I am living proof … In case you haven’t noticed, I am Black, and I have been Black all my life.”
Winsome was elected to a majority Black legislative district! No other Republican has done that in Virginia since 1865: She consequently also became the first (and still only) Black Republican woman elected to the House, the first female veteran, and the first legal immigrant woman.
Winsome is a mother, wife and is proud to have served in the United States Marines. She was also a hard-charging Vice President of the Virginia State Board of Education and received presidential appointments to the US Census Bureau (where she co-chaired the African American Committee) and the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
In addition to her Masters degree, Winsome also built a successful business as a trained electrician and understands the importance of helping small businesses thrive. However, Winsome is most proud of her community work leading a men’s prison ministry and as director of a women’s homeless shelter for The Salvation Army.
She has tough agenda:
OPEN AND STRENGTHEN SCHOOLS
Winsome knows a quality education is the best way to lift people out of poverty and make sure they have access to a good paying job. Winsome will champion investments in public schools, empower parents with choices, and raise standards in education. Specifically, Winsome will push to:
- Keep Schools Open Safely 5 Days a Week
- Raise Teacher Pay & Recruit More Teachers to End the Teacher Shortage
- Restore High Standards for School Accreditation & SOL Tests
- Promoting Choice by Creating More Opportunities, Especially in Failing School Districts
UPLIFTING BLACK VIRGINIANS
Virginians are not defined by the color of their skin, but the content of their character. Still, data shows that Black Virginians are disproportionately failed by our government, whether it’s in education or when it comes to job opportunities. Winsome will uplift Black Virginians as Lieutenant Governor. Specifically, Winsome will push to:
- Create a Black Virginians Advisory Cabinet to the Governor
- Make a Once-in-a-Generation Investment in Historically Black Colleges & Universities
- Create 10 “Legacy Wealth Startup Incubators” in Black Communities to Promote Black Entrepreneurship
KEEPING VIRGINIA SAFE
Keeping Virginians safe is a top responsibility of state government. As Lieutenant Governor, Winsome will defend our law enforcement heroes, crack down on violent criminals and preserve truth-in-sentencing – all while promoting commonsense criminal justice reforms that give nonviolent offenders a path to redemption. Specifically, Winsome will push to:
- Fire the Parole Board and Preserve Truth in Sentencing
- Raise Pay for Virginia State Police Troopers, Sheriff’s Deputies, Corrections Officers, and Police Officers
- Reduce Law Enforcement Interactions by Increasing the Use of Handheld Photo Speed Enforcement
SERVING OUR VETERANS
Virginia is home to over 800,000 veterans and their families, including Winsome Sears. Winsome served in the U.S. Marines, and she wants to ensure Virginia remains the most veteran friendly state in the nation. As Lieutenant Governor, Winsome will push to:
- Eliminate All Taxes on the First $40,000 in Military Veteran Retirement Pay
- Expand Virginia’s Veterans Care Centers in Richmond, Salem, Hampton Roads & Northern Virginia
- Expanding our Veteran Workforce Transition Programs to Get Veterans Good Paying Jobs
