NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — When Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears arrived at the Victory Arch near Newport News Shipbuilding Friday, she couldn’t help but feel like she was back home again.

It was in 2001 when she emerged on the political landscape, taking down longtime Democratic Del. Billy Robinson.

“I feel like in my old stomping ground — this is where my children grew up,” Earle-Sears said. “People really need to see you, so that is why I am in our great Hampton Roads.” 

She spoke about her shipyard tour and jobs.

“We toured the shipyard, and let me tell you, there is a lot of power there,” she said. “I saw world dominance, and the shipyard is going to help us stay there, and we are not going to lose any of those jobs.” 

She addressed CNBC dropping Virginia from No. 1 to No. 4 as the best state to do business due, in part, to the massive federal workforce layoffs in northern Virginia.  

“In Virginia, we have actually created over 15,000 new business startups that never existed,” she said, “and they’re extremely high-paying. We have over 200,000 jobs that are still open.”  

She also spoke about President Trump’s speech in March, placing a new emphasis on shipbuilding.

“President Trump has begun a new, not ever existed office on shipbuilding because he recognizes the importance to national security of having our ships ready and available,” Earle-Sears said.

The lieutenant governor said she cares most about these three things — “I care that children learning is number one. Number two, are we safe and secure? And number three, are jobs being created?” 

10 On Your Side also asked her about those who think the Republican statewide ticket is off to a slow start, and that Earle-Sears is at odds with her Republican running mate, Lt. Gov. candidate John Reid, who is the first opening gay candidate to run for statewide office. 

Asked why she did not acknowledge him at a recent campaign rally in northern Virginia, and that  Republicans who were there were concerned about that, she said this.

“I think we’ve got to understand there are bigger matters and we’re going to be in different places,” Earle-Sears said. “I have mentioned John Reid in so many other capacities. I’m sure that I can be forgiven for one. … I forgot to mention other people too.  

Republican leaders 10 On Your Side has spoken to say unity at the top of the ticket is essential to winning, especially in a close race, which this could be. 

The one thing history has shown, however, is this: Winsome Earle-Sears is a fighter and a survivor.

She is Virginia’s first female lieutenant governor and the first woman of color to hold statewide office in Virginia.  

If elected, Earle-Sears would be the first African American woman in history to serve as the governor of a U.S. state, and the first woman to be governor of Virginia.  

Even her critics must admit Earle-Sears has impressive firsts.