Earle-Sears slams Democrats’ ‘nonsense’ over transgender policies

SUTHERLIN, Va. — Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears ripped her Democratic opponent in the race for governor for pushing “nonsense” on issues like transgender accommodations in schools.

Flanked by fellow incumbents Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares at a rally Tuesday in Southwest Virginia, she pitched Republican leadership as the “common-sense” alternative with Election Day a week away and polls showing former Rep. Abigail Spanberger in the lead.

“You know, we’re not going to be bamboozled,” Ms. Earle-Sears said in the speech to about 150 supporters at the Sutherlin Barn in Halifax County.

“We know how this works. You give your tax money. That’s what we do. You’re safe. That’s what we do. We continue to create jobs. That’s what we do,” she said. “And you know something else that we do? We make sure that we do not have men in [girls’] locker rooms … I mean, have you ever seen such a thing?”

She recounted her confrontation with Ms. Spanberger during a recent gubernatorial debate in Richmond.

“On the debate stage, I asked her, ’What if your little girl came to you in tears and said she was forced to undress in front of a boy, in front of a man? What would you say?’ Nothing,” Ms. Earle-Sears said.

“But here’s the problem: One of her little girls was sitting in the audience and she said nothing,” Ms. Earle-Sears added. “Then that little girl said, ’Mom, say something. Mom.’ You understand, it’s all politics with her.”

Connie Wooding, who sent three children through the local school system and has grandchildren just starting their educational journey, said gender-fluid athletics and age-inappropriate instruction would help drive GOP voter turnout.

“I don’t believe men should be in sports with little girls,” she said.

The issue of transgender facilities and sports participation has largely been relegated to liberal counties in Northern Virginia, such as Loudoun, Fairfax and Arlington.

Voters in Halifax County said they wanted to ensure it stays that way.

“We don’t want to change. We’re on the right track,” said Linda Baldwin, who was volunteering for the event with her 10-year-old son, William Haley.

Virginia, which has had a Democrat-controlled Legislature for Mr. Youngkin’s entire four-year term, stands the risk of swinging deep blue again under Ms. Spanberger, a onetime CIA operative who ran as a moderate, despite having voted with President Joseph R. Biden on most issues.

“We don’t wanna see Virginia turn into a sanctuary state,” Ms. Baldwin said.

B.J. Lester, a retired DuPont worker from North Carolina, said he moved to Virginia three years ago with his sons, Jesse and Jared, to escape the constant stream of Democratic governors.

“If you look, it’s not but about five counties in Virginia that are blue,” Mr. Lester said. “The rest of the state is red. As red as it can be.”

Ms. Earle-Sears hammered state Democrats for “playing games” after they pulled her from the campaign trail and forced her into a special session of the state Senate.

“We’re talking about the business of the commonwealth of Virginia, and they’re playing games with our commonwealth, with your tax money, for their purposes. This is what you can expect. But then, this is nothing new,” she said.

Va. gubernatorial candidate @WinsomeSears on the campaign trail slammed Democrats for “playing games” after they called a special session on redistricting, ignoring a recently passed constitutional amendment. pic.twitter.com/3gPqHmRSZx

— Ben Sellers (@realbensellers) October 29, 2025

She accused Ms. Spanberger of leading the unconstitutional push to gerrymander the state after having received a $150,000 donation from the Eric Holder-run National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

Va. gubernatorial candidate @WinsomeSears on the campaign trail slammed Democrats for “playing games” after they called a special session on redistricting, ignoring a recently passed constitutional amendment. pic.twitter.com/3gPqHmRSZx

— Ben Sellers (@realbensellers) October 29, 2025

“Abigail Spanberger sold out Virginia for $150,000,” Ms. Earle-Sears said. “If she will do that in the light, what will she do behind closed doors? We cannot trust Abigail. She cannot be our governor.”