Aug. 20, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette As a 17-year-old who can’t legally vote, I believe I still can participate in this great American democracy. Today I would like to discuss my concerns about the Republican candidate Winsome Earle-Sears’ record on reproductive rights and health care for women.
Earle-Sears has a long record documenting her views on the reproductive rights of women. In the past she has said that she considers abortion to be “genocide,” she supports making abortion illegal in all cases except when the mother’s life is at risk or in the case of rape or incest.
Earle-Sears, whose role as the president of the Virginia State Senate requires her to sign bills that the legislature passes, reluctantly signed a bill that would codify abortion rights in the constitution. She wrote, “I am morally opposed to this bill; no protection for the child.” Earle-Sears and Governor Youngkin both support a 15-week abortion ban. However in the past Earle-Sears supported a six-week ban, in line with current extreme Texas law.
Women in Virginia and across the country deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions, including the right to access abortion. Some GOP positions and even some new state laws supported by the GOP ignore the health of the women carrying pregnancies. That’s not ethical, it’s hypocritical. Women with the help of medical professionals should be making their own decisions about their own health care, not politicians or the government.
If Winsome Earle-Sears becomes governor, she has promised to push for extreme abortion bans and restrictions on contraceptives. Right now, Virginia is the last Southern state where reproductive rights are still protected. I believe women in Virginia deserve this respect and autonomy. Please think about that when going to the polls this November. HAN CABE Raphine
