School Board Member Censured Over Racist Post Loses Primary
MCMURRAY, Pa. (AP) - A longtime school board member who was censured over a racist Facebook post that was published on his personal page has lost his bid for re-election.
William Merrell was one of six Republican primary candidates seeking nominations for five seats on the board in Peters Township, a school district outside Pittsburgh.
His loss Tuesday came one day after the board made its censure decision. Merrell has apologized for his posts, saying that although he has a right to voice his views on different issues he realized they may have caused harm.
Screenshots of several posts started circulating last week on social media. The since-deleted post included a link to a list suggesting what would happen if all African Americans left the U.S. It featured a graphic with a racial slur.
State law had barred the board from removing Merrell.
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