A palpable frustration simmered in Montgomery County as Terence Sears, husband of Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, addressed a rally in her place. Democrats, he asserted, were deliberately keeping his wife occupied with a last-minute redistricting session, effectively sidelining her from crucial campaign events.
The event, hosted on the historic Obenshain family farm near Virginia Tech, was intended to showcase Earle-Sears’s energy and connection with voters. Instead, Sears, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant, found himself delivering a pointed message about political maneuvering and its impact on the election.
“I was pissed off because of what the Democrats have done to my wife,” Sears stated, his typically reserved demeanor giving way to clear indignation. He recounted a similar situation just the day before in Fredericksburg, where legislative duties again prevented Earle-Sears from joining him on the campaign trail.
He traveled from their home in Winchester, a considerable distance, specifically to fill the void left by his wife’s absence. Sears warned that unchecked Democratic policies could transform Virginia into states like Maryland or California, urging voters to actively participate in the election to prevent such a shift.
The rally also featured Delegate Chris Obenshain and Congressman Morgan Griffith, both vocal critics of the ongoing redistricting efforts. Griffith expressed concern that the current map proposals could leave him as the sole Republican representing Virginia in Congress.
Griffith shared a story about the late Jack Reid, a former House Minority Whip, and his ingenious response to partisan tactics. Reid, frustrated by Democratic actions, began distributing “B.S. Deflector” sunglasses to his colleagues during legislative sessions.
The sunglasses became a symbol of defiance, allowing Republicans to openly challenge questionable rulings. As Griffith recounted, a simple signal from Reid would prompt the entire GOP conference to don the shades and declare, “We call B.S.” when faced with perceived unfairness.
Introducing lieutenant governor candidate John Reid, Griffith playfully noted that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, referencing the legacy of John’s father and his commitment to principled opposition. The story served as a lighthearted, yet pointed, commentary on the current political climate in Richmond.
Sears emphasized that his wife, alongside the rest of the Republican ticket, is dedicated to preserving Virginia as a safe and thriving state, with a strong focus on improving educational opportunities for all.
