Winsome Earle Sears’ Op-Ed: Voters deserve honesty

On December 16th, 2024, by Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle Sears

Candidates for public offices should be honest and transparent with their voters. It’s reasonable, isn’t it?

Democrats across the country in 2024 didn’t agree. They either chose to lie about their past positions or ignore issues that were important to voters.

Election Day revealed the answer to be “no”.

The lesson should be obvious. Abigail Spanberger from Pennsylvania missed the memo.

Each of us, the candidates for Virginia’s next governor, had the chance to speak to hundreds of Virginian business leaders and job creators last week to discuss our visions for economic growth and strengthening Virginia’s position as one of the best states in which to do business. Virginians owed us a definitive response about whether or not we would defend Commonwealth’s Right to Work Law. This law is a pillar of our competitive advantage for the region, and it was under threat by Democrat repeal efforts.

I answered in a clear and unambiguous way: As governor, I will defend Virginia’s Right to Work Law.

Congresswoman Spanberger never even brought up the topic.

Our Right to Work Law has been the cornerstone for success in Virginia. It increases economic competitiveness and encourages the creation of jobs. It also creates an environment that is conducive to investments, businesses and workers making their own decisions. Virginia also looks very different from Maryland and New York.

Virginia Economic Development Partnership (our very own Virginia Economic Development Partnership) warned us that repealing Right to Work could cost Virginia billions of dollars in capital investment and tens of thousands of jobs. These risks are not hypothetical but real.

This is not just a policy for me — it’s a principle. Virginia will continue to be the best state for creating jobs and workers in the country. It’s also very personal. My father came to America with no money, and worked multiple jobs in order to realize his American Dream. He helped me to do the same.

As an employee I enjoyed the freedom to choose how my salary was spent. As a businessman I think that all good workers should have the same option.

To grow our economy, we must do more than just protect the right to work. To drive innovation, we must strengthen public-private partnerships. We must continue aggressively to pursue new world-class companies. Virginians must be prepared for future jobs by investing in their workforce development.

Politicians who exploit us pose the greatest threat to Virginia’s business-friendly environment and top ranking. In a campaign, a politician may dodge questions regarding Right to Work only to repeal it once he is elected governor.

A strong leader builds on past successes, while a weak one tears them down and wastes time and money. We cannot afford to take the wrong path.

Right to Work is not the only policy driving Virginia’s economy. But its repeal will cause our economy to crash: no new businesses would move in, as existing businesses left, and customers would face higher prices and less choice.

Congresswoman Spanberger does not seem to grasp this. She cosponsored legislation which would have forced the states to accept union mandates without state debate.

If she passed it, then she would have been responsible for the destruction of Virginia’s Right to Work Law as well as our competitive edge.

Leadership demands clear, principled decisions.

Virginians are entitled to a direct response from Congresswoman Spanberger on her position. Her silence thus far shows that she does not think we deserve a response.

Email Abigail Spanberger at:
abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov

Email Abigail Spanberger at:
abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov

Email Abigail Spanberger at:
abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov