Winsome Sears Criticizes Walz's War Claims

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears (R) has publicly criticized Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) following the release of a 2018 video clip by the Harris campaign. In the clip, Walz discusses gun violence, asserting that “weapons of war, that I carried in war” should only be present in war zones. This statement has drawn scrutiny as it suggests combat experience, which Walz does not possess. Earle-Sears, a Marine veteran, expressed that families of fallen veterans may feel “upset” and “offended” by Walz’s remarks, emphasizing the emotional toll on those who have served in actual combat. Earle-Sears highlighted the struggles faced by veterans, particularly those suffering from PTSD, and questioned Walz’s authority to speak on military matters. “For this man, who never served a day in combat, to talk about weapons that he carried in war? When did that ever happen, sir?” she stated. She further criticized Walz’s military service record, noting that he left the National Guard before pursuing a congressional career, implying that he should refrain from making claims about war. In a separate context, Earle-Sears was asked about the Republican Party's strategy for winning Virginia in the upcoming 2024 election, a state that has not favored the party since 2004. Governor Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) previously suggested that minimizing losses in Northern Virginia could be key to success, a strategy that contributed to his gubernatorial victory in 2021. Former President Donald Trump has also endorsed Youngkin’s approach, reiterating his claims regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 election results.