school choice now. we're not defunding the police. not now. let me tell you about me. >> reporter: sears, a conservative firebrand, has pointedly criticized critical-race theory even though it's not part of virginia's standards of learning and voiced fierce opposition to covid vaccine mandates, even refusing to publicly disclose her own vaccination status. >> we are not going to care what the media says because the media doesn't like us. >> reporter: born in jamaica, sears first came to the u.s. as a child. >> my father brought me here when i was 6 years old. and here i am, running for the second-highest office in virginia. only in america. >> reporter: on the campaign trail, she often recounted her immigrant story. touting her family's bootstrap success, and blasting a so-called victim mentality. >> and so, i say to you, i am not a victim. my father is not a victim. this is not 1963.