A candidate for a school board in New Jersey recently faced backlash after explicit and harsh messages were discovered in a group chat targeting a conservative female board member. The chat was strikingly titled “ThisBitchNeedsToDie.”
This week, images surfaced on social media showing Scott Semaya’s inappropriate comments regarding Daniel Bellomo during a July school board meeting. The local police are now looking into the escalating scandal in the affluent community of Marlborough.
The offensive message, allegedly caught on video as Semaya typed, included a crude remark about Bellomo’s physical appearance. The incident has quickly escalated tensions, prompting Semaya to withdraw from the Marlboro School Board election, a decision followed by his running mate, Melissa Goldberg.
This situation draws parallels to recent unsettling events in Virginia, where a candidate for attorney general had also made threatening remarks. Bellomo expressed fear over the current environment, saying the situation was alarming, especially for her family.
Bellomo, who identifies as a MAGA supporter and staunch Republican, raised concerns that her political beliefs were being attacked. She emphasized her commitment to advocating for parental rights and children, remarking, “I think that’s why they seem to harbor resentment against me.”
Semaya, who holds liberal views and is an accountant by profession, cited personal family matters as the reason for dropping out but didn’t elaborate further. Bellomo expressed concern not only for herself but for her children, especially since her son might encounter the troubling messages.
Interestingly, at one point, Bellomo had been a Girl Scout leader for Semaya’s daughter. Reflecting on this, she found it hard to reconcile those past interactions with his current behavior, stating, “It feels really painful.” She also noted ongoing threats she has received and the police reports she’s filed in response.
Though the social media posts primarily shared one snapshot of Semaya’s phone during the chat, Bellomo mentioned having seen more messages that indicated alarming intentions directed toward her. “It was the first time I realized they wanted to harm me,” she said.
A confidentiality order has been placed against another participant in the chat, Mitesh Gandhi, who has not commented on the situation. Officials revealed that the chat group comprised several men, including Chad Hyett, the vice president of the Marlboro City School Board. Citizens are now calling for Hyett’s resignation.
Marlboro’s Democratic Mayor Jonathan Hornig labeled the messages as unacceptable and emphasized the need to address the disturbing trend of threats against public figures. Highlighting the urgency, he mentioned the recent uptick in violence against politicians.
The controversy has turned Marlboro into a focal point on social media, sparking public outrage. One former board member described Semaya as presenting a duality—claiming to be a family-oriented individual while displaying alarming behavior in private. Others echoed sentiments of disgust and called for accountability.
While Semaya and Goldberg campaigned under a seemingly neutral banner, a veteran board member, Michael Lilonsky, continues his race amidst the fallout. Goldberg stated he was stepping back from the race due to personal commitments and not being able to fully engage in the role.
