Winsome Earle-Sears Takes ‘Stolen Valor’ Seriously. A PAC Appears to Be Embellishing Her Military Record.

A PAC supporting the Republican gubernatorial candidate in Virginia says she fought overseas — something Earle-Sears has never said she did.

Winsome Earle-Sears AP-22060678279363

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears salutes the flag during the opening of the senate session at the Capitol on March 1, 2022, in Richmond, Va. Earle-Sears is a former Marine. Steve Helber/AP

Editor’s note: After publication, John Fredericks, a conservative radio host and general manager of the John Fredericks Media Network, reached out to NOTUS and said his “team is responsible for writing and airing the ad in question.” Fredericks said Winsome Earle-Sears’ gubernatorial campaign was not involved in the radio ad’s creation.

“I reviewed the ad and it just got past me,” he said. “I own the company and I take full responsibility for that.”

“I value and appreciate the work; you ought to be holding everyone accountable,” Fredericks said after reading NOTUS’ reporting. “Nobody was trying to embellish her record, she’s got a great record. It was just an oversight and it got past me.”