Update: Bellamy to resign from Board of Education

Update: 4:49 p.m. The office of Governor Terry McAuliffe released a statement Wednesday that said Wes Bellamy is resigning from the Virginia State Board of Education, “effectively immediately.”

Bellamy released the following statement on his resignation:

“Today, I informed Governor McAuliffe that I have decided to resign from my appointment to the Virginia State Board of Education. I would like to redirect my attention and focus to my family, the children and young people whom I serve, and to the City of Charlottesville. I want to thank Governor McAuliffe, Steve Staples, Billy Cannaday, and the rest of the State Board and staff for their support and faith in me.”

Original post: 3:01 p.m. Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Weyers Cave, Chairman of the House Education Committee, today called on Board of Education member Wes Bellamy to resign immediately from the Virginia Board of Education.

In light of Mr. Bellamy’s past racist and sexist posts on his Twitter account, Landes has called for his resignation. Should Bellamy refuse to resign, Landes is requesting that Governor Terry McAuliffe remove him from his position on the Board of Education.

“Mr. Bellamy’s racist, sexist and outrageous tweets are repugnant. It is especially disturbing to see these comments come from an individual who serves on Virginia’s Board of Education,” said Landes. “The type of language used by Mr. Bellamy is unacceptable, and certainly disqualifies him from serving on the Board of Education. I encourage Mr. Bellamy to do what is best for the Commonwealth and resign his seat on the Board at once. Our children and the Board of Education deserve better than this. If Mr. Bellamy will not resign, Governor McAuliffe should remove him from his post immediately to demonstrate that this type of offensive language has no place in our public discourse” Landes added.

Landes represents the 25th House District, which includes parts of Albemarle, Augusta, and Rockingham Counties. Landes is currently serving his eleventh term in the Virginia House of Delegates. Visit SteveLandes.com for additional information.