Andrew Schear
Democrat
Positions
About Andrew
Hello there! My name is Andrew Schear. I'm a small business owner and a stay-at-home dad. I'm running for Delegate in Virginia's 57th District because things like raising children, owning a home, and saving enough for retirement are increasingly becoming unattainable goals for working families – and that’s a huge problem. Just 25 years ago, my parents were able to raise two kids, purchase a single family home, and save some money for later - all on a single income and without a college degree. I struggle to believe that's still achievable in 2025, despite that fact that we live in the wealthiest country in the world.
Early Years
From a young age, I learned the value of hard work. At age 12, as soon as I was legally allowed to do so, I started my first job, delivering newspapers twice a week by bicycle. By age 14, I had picked up a second job at my local library and a third with a local jeweler, manufacturing and polishing pieces for Tiffany & Co. After graduating from the University of Miami with my bachelor's degree, I immediately started my own small business in media production with two goals in mind - create entry level jobs for recent college grads facing a tough labor market, and serve my community whenever possible by providing pro bono video production services to local non-profit organizations.
Owning a Small Business
Owning a small business taught me a lot about determination - about arriving early, staying late, and going the extra mile to get the job done. The success of my business afforded me the privilege of serving as Chairman of the Board for the Greater Kendall Business Association and of participating in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program alongside other highly successful business owners.
Childcare Affordability
Three years ago, I chose to become a stay-at-home dad. Part of the reason why is because childcare is really expensive, and it just made more sense financially for our family. If we were to put both of our boys in daycare, it would cost more than our monthly mortgage payment. That's not affordable for anyone. I believe the solution will involve a partnership between the government and the business community, both of which stand to benefit financially from stay-at-home parents like me coming back to the workforce.
