Winsome Sears


Winsome Earle Sears is an American politician. She was a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates 2002–2004, and ran unsuccessfully for the United States House of Representatives from Virginia's 3rd congressional district in 2004. In September 2018, she entered the race for U.S. Senate as a Republican write-in alternative to Corey Stewart.

Life before politics

Sears was born in Jamaica and grew up in the Bronx. After graduating from Adlai E. Stevenson High School, she joined the US Marine Corps and was trained as an electrician. Sears holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in economics from Old Dominion University and earned her Master of Arts degree in organizational leadership from Regent University. Before running for public office, Sears ran a homeless shelter. Sears is married and has three children, DeJon, Katia, and Janel.

Electoral history

Political career

In November 2001, Sears upset 20-year Democratic incumbent William P. "Billy" Robinson, Jr. while running for the 90th district seat in Virginia's House of Delegates. Sears was the first black female Republican, first female veteran, and the first naturalized citizen delegate, to serve. In 2003, Sears announced that she would not seek a second two-year term as delegate.
Sears challenged Democrat Bobby Scott in 2004 for Virginia's 3rd congressional district seat, but lost, garnering 31 percent of the vote. She obtained the endorsement of James Dobson.