RICHMOND, Va. — The Republican Party of Virginia is facing backlash -- from Democrats and members of its own party alike -- over a now-deleted post on social media that targeted Democratic House Speaker Don Scott of Portsmouth.
In a post made on X, formerly known as Twitter, the official Virginia GOP account wrote on Thursday, "Is it any surprise that @DonScott757 spent 8 years in federal prison for peddling drugs to college kids, and now he's obsessed with legislation to cut breaks for drug dealers? Anything for your buddies, right?"
The post received immediate criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert called it a "garbage comment that has no place in our discourse."
He added: "Speaker Don Scott’s personal story of redemption is something to behold and admire. He and I have disagreed on policy and process and will continue to do so, but he has earned respect and he certainly has mine."
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin described the comment as "unforgivable" and that he had reached out to Scott to express "my deep respect for him and his life journey."
Scott himself seemed to brush off the posting. According to Virginia Mercury reporter Graham Moomaw, Scott asked rhetorically, "If I am what they say I am, how the hell do they keep losing to me?"
Scott's journey to become Virginia's first African American Speaker of the House of Delegates is often described as one of redemption. He was arrested on federal drug charges in 1994 and served seven years in prison.
Scott has acknowledged his past mistakes and said his personal experiences motivated him and showed him injustices in the legal system. He would later go on to pass the Virginia Bar Exam in 2014 and after a few years of practicing law, ran for Virginia's 80th House District in 2019, which he would ultimately win.
When the Democrats regained control of the house after the 2023 elections, his party unanimously nominated him as Speaker of the House of Delegates.
Following Thursday's immediate backlash to the post on X, Republican Party of Virginia Chair Rich Anderson said it was deleted and that he would make "personnel changes effective today."
Anderson claimed he was unaware of nor approved the posting "but the buck stops with me."
"I have seen a story of redemption play out in my own family, so this is personal for me and compels me to express my sincere regret and apology," Anderson wrote. "We will battle on the policy front, but in Virginia certain things are off limits."
Not all Democrats are accepting his apology, however. 23rd District Delegate Candi King called on Youngkin and Gilbert to fire Anderson, writing, "For years, this account has exclusively targeted Black officials for some of the most vile, racist comments. @DonScott757 is the latest target. Me, @SenLouiseLucas and so many more."
Thursday's @VA_GOP post isn't the first time it has targeted Scott and his criminal record on X. In another post from November 22, 2023 -- one that as of the publishing of this article, has not been deleted -- @VA_GOP wrote that "Virginia Democrats killed a bill to impose tougher criminal penalties on fentanyl dealers - not a surprise considering he spent 7 years in prison for dealing drugs. Actions speak louder than words!"
King at the time also called out that post, saying no Republicans were defending it because they were "embarrassed" by Anderson.
