Republican candidate for Lt. Gov, husband of candidate for Governor visit Shore Tuesday

The local Republican Party held a “Get Out the Vote” breakfast Tuesday morning at the Sage Restaurant in Onley. The event drew a full house as several speakers rallied supporters ahead of next week’s election.

Delegate Rob Bloxom, Lieutenant Governor candidate John Reid, and Terence Sears, husband of Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl-Sears, all addressed the crowd.

Bloxom told attendees that Democrats in the General Assembly scheduled redistricting hearings this week, saying the timing keeps key Republican lawmakers off the campaign trail just days before the election.

Speakers also discussed recent controversy surrounding Attorney General candidate Jay Jones. Bloxom and Reid criticized text messages attributed to Jones that included violent language toward the then Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children.

Reid told the audience that, if elected, he plans to serve all Virginians, regardless of political affiliation. He praised Winsome Earl-Sears for what he described as strong leadership following a deadly shooting after a Richmond graduation ceremony two years ago.

Reid also said he would oppose policies allowing transgender men in women’s locker rooms and sports, and would work to keep sexually explicit material out of public schools.

Terence Sears stood in for his wife, who was scheduled to attend but had to cancel to be in Richmond in her role as Lt. Governor as President of the Senate for the Democrats special session to redistrict, and told the audience he believes his wife will win reelection, calling the campaign a “spiritual battle between darkness and light.” He accused Democrats of disrespecting law enforcement, the military, and parents, urging families to stay engaged with what’s being taught in schools.