An implied threat against school board candidates prompts concern among Virginia Beach Republicans.

by Victoria Manning

A Virginia Beach Democratic Committee member’s Facebook comment has prompted police reports from multiple school board candidates and forced local party leaders to publicly address the growing concern over political violence against conservatives.

On July 14, the Republican Party of Virginia Beach announced its six endorsements for school board elections in the city. Then a commenter, Geri Wilson, made a vile response that caused safety concerns for the candidates. Under the endorsement post she wrote, “I see dead people.” Further digging revealed Wilson is a member of the local Virginia Beach Democrat Party.

Wilson fills her Facebook page with far-left extremist rhetoric, including her profile picture that says 86 47—a reference widely recognized as a call to kill President Trump. She posts obsessively on Facebook, dozens of times a week. One recent one said, “Don’t piss off old people . . . the older we get the less life in prison is a deterrent.”

Multiple candidates referenced in the post filed police reports. Will Democrat Party leadership condemn Wilson and remove her from their organization?

Restoration News reached out to Lance Lesher, the Chair of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach, who said that he is proud of anyone who desires to serve their community, especially through serving on behalf of children on the school board. “They should never need to be concerned that their physical safety is at heightened risk because of a desire to serve,” he asserted. “We should all reject any threats or hints of threats against those who would run for any office.”

The current Vice Chair of the school board, Carolyn Weems, who is also running for re-election and is included on the post said:

Violence against those with different viewpoints has escalated and must be taken seriously. No one who runs for office to serve their community should feel unsafe. We should be able to have civil debate or simply disagree without being disrespectful and hateful. This recent threat is unacceptable and should be investigated.

Another school board candidate, Brigid Kahng told Restoration News, “As a candidate for School Board and a mother, I thought the comment was completely inappropriate. Our community deserves better, and I hope everyone, regardless of political affiliation, will condemn rhetoric that invokes violence or death.”

Restoration News also contacted Sean Monteiro, Chair of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee. He said that Lesher reached out to him about the comment, and they plan to meet to discuss the topic later this week. Monteiro said, “I will simply reiterate that, both personally and on behalf of the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee, violence has no place in politics.”

Geri Wilson did not respond to a question from Restoration News about what she meant by her comment.

In the wake of extreme violence from the left, including the murder of Charlie Kirk, multiple attempts on the life of President Trump, and threats against Supreme Court Justices, will the police and prosecutors take these threats seriously?

The response to Wilson’s comment, from both parties and from law enforcement, will be a test for whether rhetoric like Wilson’s is treated as a serious concern, or dismissed as just another online outburst in an increasingly hostile political climate.

Victoria Manning is a Senior Investigative Researcher for Restoration News specializing in education freedom, immigration, and military issues. This column has been republished with permission from Restoration News.