July 9, 2025 News & Press Releases

BREAKING: Sears Criticized Fellow Republican for Taking Money from a Nazi Sympathizer While She Did the Same Thing


by DPVA Press

Sears: “Why would you do that? Why do you want money from him [a Nazi] and why do you want money from his folks [Nazis], his side?”

VIRGINIA – New reporting from Heartland Signal details how Winsome Earle-Sears attacked fellow Republican Cory Stewart for taking money from a Nazi sympathizer while she was taking money from Richard Iott, a known Nazi sympathizer and cosplayer. The report also highlights Sears refusing to answer questions about the contributions to her campaign.

Heartland Signal: Virginia GOP gubernatorial candidate took money from a Nazi re-enactor from Ohio

  • Virginia Lt. Gov. and 2025 gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears (R) received campaign donations from a known Nazi sympathizer in Ohio, despite criticizing a fellow politician for doing the same.
  • According to Virginia Public Access Project, Earle-Sears has received nine $100 monthly payments to her Political Action Committee Winsome PAC from Richard Iott between August 2024 and May 2025. 
  • During his congressional run, The Atlantic revealed that Iott was an active member of the Wiking group, which devoted itself to re-enacting battles conducted by the 5th Panzer Division of the Nazi German army during World War II.
  • Earle-Sears, who won the Republican primary for Virginia’s 2025 gubernatorial election last month, previously criticized a fellow GOP candidate for taking money from a Nazi sympathizer while she was actively accepting money from Iott. 
  • During an appearance on “The John Fredericks Show” in March, Earle-Sears bashed former Republican Senate candidate Corey Stewart for his financial support from Paul Nehlen, a former congressional candidate from Wisconsin with ties to Nazi meme culture online.
  • “But then he went ahead and bought the list of an avowed Nazi,” Earle-Sears said. “Why would you do that. Why do you want money from him and why do you want money from his folks, his side?”
  • Earle-Sears did not respond to a request to comment on receiving money from Iott.

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