Earle-Sears makes campaign stop in Hopewell, focuses largely on public safety and security

HOPEWELL, Va. (WRIC) — Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears held a campaign event in Hopewell on Friday. 

The Republican nominee for governor making the stop on Friday, Aug. 1 as part of her new “Operation Defend and Deliver” tour. 

Earle-Sears’ message largely focused on public safety and security, with Earle-Sears saying she would protect police officers’ qualified immunity, and more. 

Earle-Sears also threw her support behind Virginia’s current efforts to work with the federal government to ensure those living in the United States illegally are deported. 

Plus, she said she wants to protect Virginia’s girls by ensuring only biological women play on women’s sports teams and are allowed in women’s locker rooms. 

“My filters are going to be, number one, is what we’re about to do, going to help education opportunities for our children? Number two, are we going to do something that will affect our safety and security negatively? Number three filter, are we going to create jobs by what we are about to do?” Sears told supporters. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for Sears’ opponent, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, who already held a statewide tour of her own, said in part, “Abigail has already laid out clear plans to make Virginia more affordable, grow Virginia’s economy, and protect Virginians’ jobs. As Virginia’s next Governor, Abigail will continue to put petty political games aside to address the real challenges Virginia families are facing.”