Chesterfield School Board member asked to resign after controversial post about Charlie Kirk’s murder
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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Both state and county officials are calling for a member of the Chesterfield County School Board to resign after she made a controversial social media post about the killing of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative influencer and co-founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking in front of a crowd at Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Sept. 10. He was visiting the school in Orem, Utah as part of his organization's "The American Comeback Tour."
In the wake of his death, many are expressing their grief and condemning political violence. However, there has also been significant debate on social media about which responses are appropriate and which are not.
On Friday, Sept. 12, current lieutenant governor and Republican candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears shared a screenshot of an Instagram post she said was made by Dorothy "Dot" Heffron of the Chesterfield County School Board. This post read, "Call me old fashioned, but I remember when we used to be okay with shooting Nazis."
"A Chesterfield County School Board member who endorsed Abigail Spanberger said 'we used to be ok with shooting Nazis' — in response to Charlie Kirk’s assassination," Earle-Sears wrote on Facebook. "Abigail, do you condemn this?"
Kirk had a large public presence, especially online, and was considered an important figure in the conservative community. President Donald Trump described him as a friend and ally. However, many of his viewpoints and statements were seen as controversial, including those directed at the LGBTQ+ community, single women and Jewish people.
These differing perceptions of Kirk and how they've impacted reactions to his death are under the microscope nationwide.
Now, such a controversy has cropped up in Chesterfield. 8News was able to confirm that the Instagram account and the post in question belonged to Heffron after contacting the Chesterfield County School Board.
All four of Heffron's fellow school board members -- board chair Ann Coker, vice chair Lisa Hudgins, Dominique Chatters and Steven Paranto -- provided a joint statement condemning the post and calling for her resignation. It reads as follows:
“The Chesterfield County School Board has been made aware of a social media post made by one of our colleagues. This post is deeply concerning and does not reflect the values, standards or expectations of the Chesterfield County School Board.
As elected officials, we are bound by our governance policies and a responsibility to model respect and professionalism for the students, staff and families we serve. This post is in direct violation of those standards.
In light of this violation of trust and governance, we are calling for Dorothy Heffron's resignation from the Chesterfield County School Board, effective immediately.
Our focus remains, as always, on ensuring the best possible educational environment for all Chesterfield County students.”
While Spanberger, a former Virginia Congresswoman and the Democratic candidate for governor, has not made a statement that outright names Heffron, she did make a post on X regarding "efforts to justify or minimize the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk or anyone else." It reads:
"As the investigation continues and law enforcement continues to build their case, I think it’s important to state unequivocally: I condemn any efforts to justify or minimize the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk or anyone else.
Disagreements over policy, perspectives, or even worldviews should never lead to violence. We are a nation of laws — and we have a First Amendment right to free speech, and that right is not limited just to those who agree with us.
Justifying or making light of violence damages the core fabric of our society and imperils all of us as Americans, just as calls to violence and revenge do the same. I hope that all elected officials and community leaders will join me in denouncing both."
Gov. Glenn Youngkin is also demanding that Heffron resign, sharing the following statement in a post on X:
"Chesterfield County School Board Chair Dot Heffron must immediately resign after her comments promoting the murder of Charlie Kirk. Nobody who would cheer murder should be allowed within 100 yards of a student. I call on leaders from both parties to not only publicly condemn her despicable comment and rebuke any endorsement she has made, but also join me in demanding her resignation."
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Though 8News included Heffron in our email regarding her social media post, she has not responded as of the time of reporting.
Heffron is not the first Chesterfield County Public Schools employee to come under fire for comments made about Kirk's death. The school division previously told 8News that it was "aware" of employees making such posts and that they "do not reflect the values and expectations of Chesterfield County Public Schools." However, no details on any potential disciplinary actions were shared.
Del. Mike Cherry (R-Chesterfield) provided the following statement to 8News regarding this situation:
"After I retired from the US Air Force and became administrator of a Christian school, one of the most important tasks I found myself doing was hiring teachers. In addition to education and experience, I looked for teachers who truly cared about their students regardless of the background in which they came from.
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we’ve seen some very concerning language from Chesterfield teachers and a member of the school board. The behavior is not the way we should expect those entrusted with our children to act. The public deserves both answers and actions, and they deserve them fast. I join my fellow elected officials in calling for the immediate resignation of Dot Heffron from the Chesterfield County School Board."
Other Virginia school districts are also experiencing similar controversies. In Newport News, a teacher was placed on leave after they made a post on social media that read, "I hope he suffered through all of it."
This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.
