LG @WinsomeSears, Spanberger, Vega at First Responder Event in Fredericksburg
FREDERICKSBURG, VA — Lt. Governor Winsome Sears keynoted the annual First Responders Appreciation Breakfast & Awards at the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center this morning.
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the event which featured high achievement in law enforcement and fire response. Awards were presented to over a dozen of first responders and police detectives who performed above and beyond or solved complex criminal cases.
Lt. Governor Sears, who delivered the keynote, was a favored target of guests for photos and conversation before and after the event. Lt. Gov. Sears is the second woman in the history of the Commonwealth to win statewide office (Mary Sue Terry was the first). She is also the third Black person to win statewide office in Virginia (L. Douglas Wilder and Justin Fairfax being the first two) and the first Black woman to be elected to any statewide office in Virginia. Sears defeated former Delegate Hala Ayala with a record number of votes — the most in Virginia’s history for Lt. Governor — with over 1.6 million, with another Black Lt. Governor, holding the previous record with 1.3 million votes.
👮🏼♂️ Issues related to police reform, crime, police brutality, qualified immunity and public safety are likely to be widely featured in many of the midterm election races around the country. In Virginia’s 7th congressional district this is likely particularly the case.
Rep. Spanberger recently authored legislation on policing and has made a concerted effort to show support for law enforcement as she competes against Vega. Spanberger has engaged in an ongoing media push highlighting her support for police.
Lt. Governor Sears mentioned qualified immunity during her keynote, expressing opposition to it. Sears also mentioned that there are “bad apples” in every profession. The Lt. Governor tweeted on Aug. 22 about the viral video of three Arkansas police officers apprehending a man outside of a convenience store. Most Sears’ speech focused on the importance of police to assist those in need and provide public safety.
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts an annual breakfast in honor of law enforcement in the region. Several speakers referenced their effort to highlight law enforcement with an awards breakfast detailing specific cases that led to a conviction.
Above: A small portion of Lt. Governor Sears keynote.
SPANBERGER AND VEGA. Congresswoman Spanberger (D-VA) and her Republican challenger Yesli Vega also attended the breakfast and sat two tables away from each other. According to her campaign page, Vega was a street cop with the Alexandria Police Department. Vega is currently an Auxiliary Deputy in the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office.
Rep. Spanberger was seen after the event greeting members of the law enforcement community was was Vega. Neither spoke the event. Their race is considered many of several bellwethers for the 2022 midterm election.
