BLOOMINGTON (HOI) - A school board candidate in Bloomington District 87 said Friday night he's ending his campaign because of backlash to what many view as offensive posts on his social media accounts.
The controversy spilled over to a Bloomington City Council race because a candidate for alderman had a campaign sign backing school board candidate Jon Reed.
A video circulated throughout the Twin-Cities Friday, and there's a website created to inform the community about "The Real Jon Reed."
The video and website were produced by community members including District 87 students, teachers, and parents, said Levi Briggs, a Bloomington High School Senior who appeared in the video.
According to Briggs, production on the video started last Thursday. The website TheRealJonReed.com was launched Friday, just hours before Reed said he would stop campaigning.
"Students, parents. and residents want you to know who Jon Reed really is. So, we decided to read some of his Facebook posts for you," according to the website.
The video shows several people reading memes and other posts reportedly from Reed's personal Facebook pages.
The website said Reed's posts contain explicit language, violence, sexual violence, racism, misogyny, transphobia, and slurs.
The website also called out Ward 5 City Council candidate Nick Becker, who admitted on his Facebook page Friday that he mistakenly put up one of Reed's campaign signs.
Reed sent a statement to Heart of Illinois-ABC saying he's no longer campaigning for school board, but early voting is underway, and it's too late for Reed's name to be taken off the ballot.
Reed said, "as the events of the day have unfolded, I have been very introspective, and want to apologize for any comments or posts that may have offended,"
"As of today, I am no longer campaigning for the school board in District 87. My campaigning does nothing but cause a distraction for the parents, students and faculty as District 87 strives to excel in moving forward," Reed also said.
Becker also released a statement Friday disassociating himself with Reed.
"The short answer is that I do not endorse any of the statements made or the implications of the statements or posts of Jon Reed," said Becker.
"These statements/posts are antithetical to my beliefs and values, and do not represent in any way my deep respect for our community and my approach to governing."
Becker went on to say, "Mistakenly, I did allow his sign in my yard based on a single conversation about the schools when I met him in February. When questioned about his sign in my yard which isn't in District 87, I said that I was happy to have it and repeated its slogan about two good men."
"I apologize for both mistakes above and for not doing better research. All this being said, I will not change or reduce my efforts to serve Bloomington. Those that know and support me know who I am and that linking me to any of these ideals is 100% false."
Becker is running for Ward 5 alderman, representing parts of Bloomington's northwest side.
His opponent in the April 6 council election, Patrick Lawler, said he's "thankful" Becker removed the sign and withdrew his support for Reed.
"It's hard to fathom how my opponent could not have known about Jon Reed's bigotry, given that he is friends with him on Facebook, where all of these posts originated," said Lawler in a Facebook post.
"Expressing support for one of the most open bigots in our community is just not a mistake that a potential council member should be making, especially one touting 'experienced leadership,'" said Lawler.
Reed's announcement he is ending the campaign does not end the community group's efforts, according to Briggs.
"We are far from the end of this," said Briggs.
"We want him to resign immediately if he's elected."
Briggs added that Reed should not be in "a position of power over children."
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Social media uproar causes District 87 school board candidate to end his campaign - HOI ABC
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