Comment RICHMOND — Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican who traveled the country in 2020 to promote President Donald Trump’s re-election bid, said in the wake of this week’s midterm elections that it’s time for Trump to leave politics. “What we saw was, even though he wasn’t on the ballot, he was, because he stepped in and supported the candidates,” Earle-Sears told the Washington Post on Thursday. “And yet, it turns out that those who didn’t approve on the same ticket did better than those who did. That gives you an idea that voters want to move on. And a true leader knows when he has become responsible for the mission.” Earle-Sears is the most prominent Republican official in Virginia to break with Trump, who has been deeply unpopular in the state overall but has maintained a firm grip on the GOP base. How Trump, infighting and flawed candidates limited Republican gains She first made her stance known in an interview with Fox Business earlier Thursday. Her comments drew a harsh rebuke from a Trump spokesman, who issued a written statement. “Winsome Sears rode a wave of President Trump voters to win the 2021 election,” the statement said. “Her comments are a slap in the face to all the grassroots Republicans who worked so hard to elect her. They will not forget this and there will be a reckoning. It always exists in politics.” The state’s most prominent Trump supporters reacted with fury, vowing revenge against Earle-Sears and Gov. Glenn Youngin (D), who appears to be weighing a presidential run in 2024. If he were to win the White House, Earle-Sears would he would complete his term as governor. Radio host John Fredericks, Trump’s 2016 and 2020 Virginia campaign chairman, said he believed Youngkin had set up Earle-Shears to make the comments. “If you think Winsome Sears did this without Glenn Youngkin’s approval, you’re naive,” Fredericks said. “This is his support to run for president. Good luck beating Team Trump in Virginia. We will crush him in his own condition.” Youngkin’s red vest didn’t bring big wins for GOP candidates Asked if Youngkin knew in advance that she would publicly split with Trump, Earle-Sears declined to say. “I’m not going to say yes and I’m not going to say no,” he said. “I’ll leave it alone.” Representatives for Youngkin did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A former state representative and Marine, Sears, a Jamaican immigrant, served as chairwoman of Black Americans to Re-Elect the President two years ago and won lieutenant governor last year on a ticket led by Youngin. “We have a number of very well-qualified people” in addition to Trump to run for the White House, Earle-Sears said. Asked if she counted Youngkin among them, Earle-Sears did not answer directly. “Well, you know I’m all for family,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not supporting anyone.” Youngkin apologizes to Pelosi for comments attacking her husband Youngkin has struck a tightrope with Trump as he has tried to woo the former president’s fans and foes, often mincing words, avoiding specific policies and telegraphing a suburban dad vibe in his trademark red vest. Earle-Sears is his polar opposite, as outspoken as Youngkin is deadpan. Her signature campaign accessory was an assault rifle, strapped over her blouse and skirt in a photo plastered on campaign signs. Earle-Sears memorably used one of her high-heeled pumps to order the Virginia Senate one day earlier this year after a prankster hid her gavel. Earle-Sears said she still thinks highly of what Trump has accomplished for Black Americans, crediting his administration with increasing Black entrepreneurship and reducing Black unemployment during his presidency. “I’ve been all over this country, campaigning for him, trying to win over black voters because he’s done so much good for us,” he said. “But you know, in the end, he lost and we moved on. And we hoped that he could also go forward.” Earle-Sears’ comments came a day after Del. Tim Anderson (R-Virginia Beach) disavowed the one-time self-styled former president: “I should have said that two years ago,” he told the Virginia Mercury. State Sen. Amanda F. Chase (R-Chesterfield), a self-described “Trump in heels,” blasted both Anderson and Earle-Sears as “weak … Republicans.”
