A Virginia Beach Democratic Committee Member’s Facebook post prompted multiple candidates for school boards to file police reports. Local party leaders were forced to address their growing concerns about political violence against conservatives.
The Republican Party of Virginia Beach made its endorsements of six candidates for the school board elections held in the city on July 14. Geri Wilson made a vicious response which caused candidates to be concerned about their safety. She wrote “I see dead persons” under the endorsement post. Wilson, it turned out, is a local Virginia Beach Democrat Party member.
Wilson’s Facebook page is filled with extremist far-left rhetoric. Her profile picture, which reads 86 47, is widely known as an appeal to kill President Trump. She is a Facebook addict who posts dozens of messages a day. Recent one stated, “Don’t piss old people off. . . The older we become, the less deterrent prison life is.”
Multiple candidates referred to in the post have filed police reports. Will the Democrat Party leadership condemn Wilson, and remove him from their organization?
Restoration News contacted Lance Lesher, Chair of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach. He said that he was proud of everyone who wanted to serve their community. This includes serving as a school board member on behalf of students. He said that people should not be worried about their safety because they want to serve. “We must reject all threats and hints of threats made against anyone who wishes to run for office.”
Carolyn Weems is the current vice chair of the school board. She is running for reelection, and she is on the list.
The violence against people with differing viewpoints is on the rise and needs to be taken very seriously. Anyone running for office in order to serve their local community shouldn’t feel unsafe. We should all be able have civil discussions or disagree without being hateful. This recent threat should be investigated.
Brigid Kahng, a school board candidate from another state, told Restoration News that the comment “was completely inappropriate as a mother and candidate for School Board.” I think our community deserves better and I hope that everyone, regardless their political affiliations, will condemn any rhetoric that incites violence or death.
Restoration News contacted Sean Monteiro as well, the Chair of Virginia Beach Democratic Committee. He stated that Lesher contacted him regarding the comment and the two plan to meet later this week to discuss the subject. Monteiro said: “I will reiterate that violence has no place in political life, personally or on behalf of Virginia Beach Democratic Committee.”
Geri Wilson didn’t respond to Restoration News when asked what she meant with her comment.
Will the police and prosecutors be taking these threats seriously in the wake of the extreme violence of the left including the murder of Charlie Kirk and multiple attempts to kill President Trump?
Both parties’ and law enforcement’s response to Wilson’s comment will test whether Wilson’s rhetoric is taken seriously or dismissed as another online outburst, in a hostile political climate.
Email the Virginia Beach School Board at:
Kathleen Brown: Kathleen.Brown@VBCPSboard.com,
Carolyn Weems: Carolyn.Weems@VBCPSboard.com,
Mark Bohenstiel: Mark.Bohenstiel@VBCPSboard.com,
Michael Callan: Michael.Callan@VBCPSboard.com,
David Culpepper: David.Culpepper@VBCPSboard.com,
Matt Cummings (Matthew): Matt.Cummings@VBCPSboard.com,
Rose Dwyer: Rose.Dwyer@VBCPSboard.com,
Sharon Felton: Sharon.Felton@VBCPSboard.com,
Alveta Green: Alveta.Green@VBCPSboard.com,
Kimberly Melnyk: Kimberly.Melnyk@VBCPSboard.com,
Melinda Rogers: Melinda.Rogers@VBCPSboard.com,
