Support for Winsome Earle-Sears Amid Racist Attacks

A prominent Democratic donor has come out in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears in Virginia, following racist remarks directed at Black GOP candidates during a protest on August 21. Robert Johnson, who co-founded Black Entertainment Television (BET) and chairs the RLJ Companies, has contributed $500,000 to Earle-Sears’ campaign. Johnson, recognized as one of the first Black billionaires in the United States, felt it necessary to stand against the racist rhetoric damaging her campaign.

If Earle-Sears wins against former Virginia Representative Abigail Spanberger, she would become the first Black female governor in the U.S. Johnson expressed his outrage regarding the blatant racism showcased at the recent press event, emphasizing that it’s crucial for Black women to support one another in such challenging circumstances. “I’ve always trusted my instincts as an investor, and I’m betting on you,” he said.

Interestingly, Johnson had previously backed former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe, who lost his bid for a second term in 2021 to current Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.

During the August 21 protest, a white woman displayed a sign with a racially charged message that criticized Earle-Sears. The sign read, “Hey, if trans people can’t share your bathroom, Black people can’t share my water basics.” This incident prompted a backlash, with Earle-Sears expressing her frustration over what she described as a manifestation of the so-called tolerant left’s behavior.

In response, Spanberger condemned the sign as “racist” and “abhorrent” the following day, calling for accountability among those who tolerate such hatred.

Despite the controversy, Spanberger has consistently outperformed Earle-Sears in fundraising, with over $15 million reported as of June, compared to approximately $4.5 million that Earle-Sears has managed to gather.