Winsome Sears

Winsome Earle Sears is a former Republican state delegate in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Life before politics

Sears was born in Jamaica and grew up in the Bronx. After graduating from high school with honors, she joined the US Marine Corps and was trained as an electrician. While stationed at Camp Pendleton, Sears became an American citizen. Sears holds a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in economics from Old Dominion University and earned her master's degree in organizational leadership from Regent University. Before running for public office, Sears ran a homeless shelter. Sears is married and has three daughters, DeJon, Katia, and Janel.

Delegate to the Virginia General Assembly

In November 2001, Sears received national attention when she upset a 20-year Democratic incumbent while running for the 90th District seat of Virginia's House of Delegates. Sears made several historic "firsts" while serving in the House of Delegates; she was the first Black female Republican, and the first foreign-born delegate, to serve. In a move just as stunning as her victory in 2001, Sears announced that she would not seek a second two-year term as delegate.

Candidate for House of Representatives

Sears challenged Democrat Bobby Scott in November 2004 for Virginia's 3rd Congressional District seat, but lost. She obtained the endorsement of James Dobson. Her campaign stressed her opponent's votes, which she felt hurt the families living within the third district. If elected, Sears would have been the first Black female Republican to serve in the US House of Representatives.