Earle-Sears failed to secure police group endorsement. Here’s why

Republican gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears did not impress in her endorsement interview with the Virginia Police Benevolent Association, two sources who were there told Dogwood. 

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears showed up about 15-minutes late to her endorsement interview with the Virginia Police Benevolent Association (VPBA) in Short Pump on Aug. 6, according to Rich Goszka, the Virginia field representative for the organization. 

A senior member of the VPBA who was at the meeting with Earle-Sears also told Dogwood that she showed up late. 

Goszka attended the Earle-Sears’ endorsement interview and said that the VPBA ultimately wasn’t happy with her answers to its questions. He said that rather than directly address their concerns, which the VPBA had shared in advance, Earle-Sears instead told off-topic stories. 

“The bottom line is she couldn’t answer any of the questions that we put in front of her,” Goszka said. “Some of the Republicans figure that these endorsements are just a given.” 

The VPBA, as a result, endorsed Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, earlier this month. However, the police group also pledged support to other Republicans running for statewide office: John Reid for lieutenant governor and Attorney General Jason Miyares for a second term. 

The VPBA is a nonpartisan group, but its splitting of the statewide ticket and non-endorsement of Earle-Sears for governor was seen as a setback for the party. It’s also a step back for Earle-Sears, who had the VPBA‘s endorsement in 2021 when she was running for lieutenant governor. 

Earle-Sears’ campaign spokesperson did not respond to multiple requests for comment. 

‘We’re against unions’

Dogwood obtained audio of Earle-Sears at an event earlier this month commenting about failing to secure the VPBA’s endorsement. 

Asked why she doesn’t have the police group’s support, Earle-Sears pointed out other Republicans who had not gotten the VPBA’s endorsement, including state Del. David Owen (R-Henrico) who was with Earle-Sears at the event too. Earle-Sears said she “has 70 sheriffs and more coming.”

“They want to unionize the police,” Owen said in the recording. “We’re against unions.” 

In an email statement to Dogwood, Owen said he is not against unions and that he supports the “right-to-work” law that prohibits employees from being required to join unions. 

“Every Virginian deserves the freedom to choose whether or not to join a union, without fear of losing their job,” Owen said in the statement.

The VPBA also supports “right-to-work” but wants to see collective bargaining rights expanded to its members, Goszka said. He said that Spanberger seemed more supportive of collective bargaining rights for police officers, whereas it wasn’t clear exactly where Earle-Sears stood on the issue. 

Other Republican candidates the VPBA endorsed seemed more open to having a conversation about expanding collective bargaining rights. 

Democrats respond

Spanberger is a former federal law enforcement officer and the daughter of a military veteran. She co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to make sure retired police officers get their full Social Security benefits they paid into during their careers. 

“Abigail recognizes the tremendous sacrifice that comes with swearing an oath to protect and serve our neighbors,” a Spanberger campaign spokesperson said in an email statement. 

May Nivar, the Democrat challenging Owen for his House of Delegates seat, said in an email statement, she is proud to be endorsed by multiple unions and that she stands with Virginia workers. 

“Our law enforcement professionals, teachers, nurses, and so many others keep our communities running, and they deserve leaders who stand up for them, not politicians who dismiss their rights,” Nivar said. 

Current Virginia law prohibits local government employees from collective bargaining, unless their locality has passed an ordinance to permit them to do so. There are a number of local police departments in Virginia allowed to engage in collective bargaining, but the piecemeal approach in Virginia isn’t working, Goszka said. 

“It just peels people away to the jurisdiction that has better benefits,” Goszka said.