Virginia leaders condemn racist sign targeting Winsome Earle-Sears

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia leaders on both sides of the aisle are sounding off after a racist sign targeting Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was shown at a school board meeting in Arlington on Thursday.

Earle-Sears, the Republican nominee in the race for Virginia's next governor, spoke at a meeting of the Arlington School Board on Thursday, Aug. 21. The school board was to discuss its transgender bathroom policy during this meeting following pressure from the U.S. Department of Education, which threatened to cut federal funding from the school district.

A transgender rights rally was held outside the meeting. Among those gathered for that rally was a person holding a sign that targeted Earle-Sears, pictured below in an image captured by WDVM.

"Hey Winsome, you have a gender neutral bathroom in your house," one side of the sign reads.

An Aug. 21 transgender rights rally outside the Arlington School Board. (Photo: WDVM)

Brandon Jarvis, a local journalist and the man behind Virginia Scope, posted photos to X of the other side of that sign -- which contained a racist statement targeting Earle-Sears, who is Black.

"Hey Winsome, if trans can't share your bathroom, then Blacks can't share my water fountain," the other side reads.

What’s at stake when Spanberger, Earle-Sears debate?

As the photo Jarvis posted circulates online, Virginia leaders -- including Earle-Sears, herself -- are sharing their reactions.

"I’m disgusted, but not surprised," Earle-Sears said on X. "This is the 'tolerant' left Abigail Spanberger defends. I’m the sitting Lieutenant Governor, second in command in the former Capitol of the confederate states. I’m an immigrant, a Marine and above all, a human being. There is no place for this disgusting hatred in our Commonwealth. Anyone who doesn’t condemn this sign is complicit in approving it."

Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for Virginia governor and Earle-Sears' opponent, shared the following statement with 8News:

“Abigail condemns this repulsive display. It’s racist, abhorrent and unacceptable.”

Earle-Sears makes campaign stop in Hopewell, focuses largely on public safety and security

8News is gathering additional comments from leaders. Our team will add them below as they are shared.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R)

In a post on X, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) said the following:

"The hypocrisy of the liberal left on display again. Winsome is so much bigger than this idiocy."

Attorney General Jason Miyares (R)

In a post on X, Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) said the following:

"This is wrong. @winwithwinsome — and Virginia — deserve better."

Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid (R)

In a post on X, John Reid, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, said the following:

"There’s no place for hate here in Virginia. This is wrong. Will @SpanbergerForVA or @SenatorHashmi condemn racist attacks like this?"

Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D)

In a post on X, Sen. Schuyler Van Valkenburg (D-Henrico) said the following:

"Two wrongs don’t make a right. Been teaching my kids - and students - that for years. In the age of Trump it’s easy to get in the gutter. We should insist on betting the better angels of our nature."

Sen. Minority Leader Ryan McDougle (R)

In a post on X, Sen. Minority Leader Ryan McDougle (R-Hanover) said the following:

"The tolerant left strikes again."

Del. Mike Cherry (R)

In a post on X, Del. Mike Cherry (R-Chesterfield) said the following:

"Wow. Sad."

As of the time of reporting, 8News is not aware of any public comments from Ghazala Hashmi or Jay Jones, the Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor or attorney general, respectively.