In addition to serving in the General Assembly in the early 2000s, Sears was on the State Board of Education and headed a group called “Black Americans to Re-Elect President Trump.” Sears said even though she’s now going to need to reach voters statewide, she’s not going to pull back from a position of gun rights. Others have taken a stance against the image, describing it as “wacko” and “lunatic” in social media posts. Prince William GOP Chair Tim Parrish feels Sears should be getting attention instead for making history with her nomination. “When you look at the accomplishments that she’s done in the past but now being the first Black woman nominated to statewide office in the Commonwealth of Virginia," Parrish said. "I think that response is vitriolic and I don't think it necessarily falls in line with the unifying message we're all trying to get across to folks."