Winsome Sears
Winsome Sears | |
---|---|
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 90th district | |
In office January 9, 2002 – January 14, 2004 | |
Preceded by | William P. Robinson, Jr. |
Succeeded by | Algie Howell |
Personal details | |
Born | Kingston, Jamaica | March 11, 1964
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Terence Sears |
Alma mater | Tidewater Community College Old Dominion University Regent University |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1983–1986 |
Winsome Earle Sears (born March 11, 1964) 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.[1]
Life before politics
Sears was born in Jamaica and grew up in the Bronx. After graduating from Adlai E. Stevenson High School with honors[citation needed], 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.[1] Before running for public office, Sears ran a homeless shelter.[2] Sears is married and has three children, DeJon, Katia, and Janel.[3]
Electoral history
Date | Election | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia House of Delegates, 90th district | |||||
Nov 6, 2001[4] | General | W E Sears | Republican | 6,696 | 53 |
W P Robinson Jr | Democratic | 6,017 | 43 | ||
Write Ins | 4 | 0 | |||
Republican defeated Democratic incumbent | |||||
Virginia 3rd congressional district | |||||
Nov 2, 2004[5] | General | R C Scott | Democratic | 159,373 | 69 |
W E Sears | Republican | 70,194 | 31 | ||
Write Ins | 325 | 0 | |||
Democratic incumbent held seat |
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.[4] Sears was the first black female Republican,[6] first female veteran, and the first naturalized citizen delegate, to serve.[7] 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,[5] garnering 31 percent of the vote. She obtained the endorsement of James Dobson.[8]
Notes
- ^ a b "Session 2003; Sears, Winsome Earle". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ Carroll, Fred (21 September 2004). "Sears, Scott Square off in Debate". Daily Press. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ "Sterling Women of Winchester: Past Events". sterlingwomen.org. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
- ^ a b "General Election – November 6, 2001". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ a b "General Election – November 2, 2004". Virginia State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2013-04-16.
- ^ "Del. Sears visits Old Dominion class Tuesday". News at Old Dominion University. 2002-11-22. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ^ Lewis, Bob (December 15, 2001). "Black GOP Woman Stuns Va. Politics". Norfolk, Va.: Associated Press. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
- ^ "Close and Personal; Endorsement from Dr. James Dobson". Winsome Sears for Congress. 2004-09-17. Archived from the original on 2004-12-06. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
References
- "Past members; Winsome Sears". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
- "Election Information; Election Results". Virginia State Board of Elections.
External links
- "Winsome E Sears". Virginia Public Access Project.
- Appearances on C-SPAN
- 1964 births
- Living people
- Members of the Virginia House of Delegates
- Women state legislators in Virginia
- Tidewater Community College alumni
- Old Dominion University alumni
- Regent University alumni
- Virginia Republicans
- African-American politicians
- African-American women in politics
- People from Norfolk, Virginia
- African-American state legislators in Virginia