Winsome Earle-Sears Receives $40K from Betsy DeVos for VA Governor Race

Earle-Sears Receives Significant Donations from DeVos Family

Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican candidate in the Virginia gubernatorial race, has garnered significant financial support from Betsy DeVos, a former U.S. Secretary of Education, and her family, totaling $40,000 in contributions.

Betsy DeVos, noted for her tenure in the Trump administration, has consistently advocated for the reduction of public school funding. Her family, including her husband, Dick DeVos, and the late Edgar Prince, have historically championed conservative causes, such as limiting union power and opposing abortion rights. The National Education Association criticized her in 2020, stating that she “has worked against the best interests of public schools,” referencing her actions to cut funding and promote privatization.

According to a recent campaign finance report, Betsy DeVos personally donated $5,000 to Earle-Sears’ campaign. Additionally, Dick DeVos contributed another $5,000 in May, while his siblings collectively added $30,000.

Furthermore, Earle-Sears benefits from the support of the American Federation for Children, a group advocating for private school funding, which is financially backed by DeVos. This organization believes public funds should be available for private and religious school tuition via tax credits or vouchers. They contributed $1,500 to Earle-Sears’ campaign in March and previously donated $15,000 to her super PAC this year.

Earle-Sears has openly supported private school initiatives, as demonstrated in a January 2024 op-ed for the Roanoke Star. She promoted legislative bills aimed at introducing such policies in Virginia, stating, “I am sponsoring legislation to create new opportunities for financially disadvantaged students.” Her proposed bills, SB533/HB1164, sought to allow low-income families to use state education funding for qualified educational expenses.

However, experts argue that these school choice policies can divert essential resources away from public schools, potentially making private education inaccessible to low-income families despite the vouchers. Both legislative bills endorsed by Earle-Sears did not pass.

Currently serving as Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor since 2022, Earle-Sears secured the Republican nomination for governor on June 17. Her Democratic opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, emphasizes enhancing public education, with commitments to secure adequate funding, address teacher shortages, and support educators. Spanberger’s campaign website states her opposition to diverting funds from public schools, asserting her dedication to maintaining public confidence in public education.