Video: Virginians Call Out Winsome Earle-Sears’ Extreme Record – on Cutting Medicaid, Defunding Public Education, Opposing Marriage Equality, etc.

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA — Today, Virginians continued the “Worst of Winsome” tour, calling out Sears’ extreme record including her support for defunding public education, opposing same-sex marriage, and refusing to oppose cuts to Medicaid that will devastate Virginia families.

“If you’re running to lead this Commonwealth, you should be focused on what’s best for our students — and it’s clear that Winsome Earle-Sears isn’t. We need leaders who will stand up against attacks on our students’ ability to thrive,” said Terry Jones, Special Education teacher and Political Director of Governmental Affairs for the Henrico Education Association.

“Over the past 11 years, I’ve issued marriage licenses to thousands of different couples, and marriage equality is still that important and meaningful,” said Richmond Clerk of Court Edward Jewett who issued the first marriage license when same-sex marriage became legal in Virginia. “While the overwhelming majority of Virginians support same-sex marriage, Winsome Earle-Sears wants to roll back this fundamental right and is a threat to same-sex marriage.”

“There are thousands of other Virginians like me, who rely on Medicaid for countless different reasons,” said Tina Buskey, Virginian with a personal Medicaid story. “Right now, we are facing instability and uncertainty and people are scared — rightfully so. Unfortunately, Republican leaders don’t seem to care. Winsome Earle-Sears has repeatedly refused to oppose the cuts to Medicaid. Her silence is deafening and shows once again she won’t fight for Virginians.”

Here’s what to know about Sears’ extreme record:

• Sears has defended Trump’s attacks on Virginia’s workforce and economy and she would help Trump “get the job done” if she were governor.

• Sears was caught on tape dismissing and laughing off the attacks on Virginia jobs saying “the media is making it out to be a huge, huge thing… and I don’t understand why.”

• Sears has a long record of supporting legislation that would cut funding from Virginia’s public schools.

• Sears has repeatedly refused to oppose the proposed Medicaid cuts that would leave thousands of Virginians without access to affordable healthcare.

• Sears supports an extreme six week abortion ban similar to the law that took effect in Texas that bans abortion before most women know they are pregnant.
  • Sears told Virginia women “we need to make our choices before we’re pregnant, not, you know, after, you already made a choice,” and left a handwritten note that she is “morally opposed to this bill […]” on the constitutional amendment that would protect reproductive freedom in Virginia, including contraception, abortion, and IVF.

• Sears also left a handwritten note on a bill protecting marriage equality that she is “morally opposed” to the legislation and Sears doubled down on her opposition to marriage equality and refused to say that she would support anything other than civil unions for same-sex couples.