Lockheed Martin Subcontractor Fires Employee After Racist Incident Targeting Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears

At a James Madison University football game, Scott Pogorelc, a Democratic donor and employee of a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, directed racist remarks at Virginia Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, telling her to "go back to Haiti" despite her Jamaican heritage. This incident, caught on camera and widely shared on social media, led to Pogorelc's termination due to his employer's strict adherence to its Code of Ethics, especially given his work on Department of War and Air Force contracts. Earle-Sears, the first Black woman elected to statewide office in Virginia and a Marine veteran, dismissed the verbal attack and vowed it would not hinder her gubernatorial campaign. The episode highlights ongoing racial tensions and the irony of progressive individuals engaging in racist behavior against a Black Republican woman. President Trump endorsed Earle-Sears, further intensifying the political stakes in Virginia's governor race, where such incidents underscore the deep divisions and challenges faced by candidates. The coverage reflects a broader narrative about racism within political discourse and the resilience of Earle-Sears amid adversity.