Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
Mass. select board chairman censured over social media posts
The former chairman of the town of Harvard's Select Board came under fire for social media posts that denigrated women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The town of Harvard’s Select Board voted to censure its former chairman Tuesday amid complaints about his social media activity, which purportedly included posts targeting women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Don Ludwig resigned as chairman earlier this month after community members complained about his posts on X, The Harvard Press reported.
Ludwig’s colleagues voted unanimously to accept his resignation as chairman Tuesday, also formally censuring him and requesting he step down from the Select Board immediately. Ludwig did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
While he has since deleted his X account, posts reviewed by the Press reportedly included comments denigrating U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and former first lady Michelle Obama.
Local news:
Replying to a post featuring a photo of Obama, Ludwig allegedly wrote, “There is a maple syrup in need of a new label” — an apparent reference to the racial stereotype featured in the old Aunt Jemima label, per reporting from the Press and The Boston Globe. Other posts allegedly included crude comments about Ocasio-Cortez’s body and referred to Buttigieg as a “DEI hire.”
Advertisement:
“These posts do not represent the opinions or the views of the Select Board,” said the board’s new chairwoman, SusanMary Redinger. She said the public posts, purportedly written from Ludwig’s personal account, were inconsistent with the board’s diversity statement and went against the town’s code of conduct for elected and appointed officials.
“The board is committed to ensuring that all members of the Harvard community are represented fairly and equitably,” Redinger said, reading a statement on behalf of the Select Board. “We must hold our members accountable for their actions, and we expect them to reflect a higher standard of conduct, worthy of the public trust their elected position confers.”
Advertisement:
She clarified the board does not have the authority to force Ludwig’s resignation.
“It is his choice and will remain his choice,” Redinger said.
Ludwig’s term expires in May. In a Feb. 17 email to the Select Board obtained by the Press, he said he would suspend his reelection campaign.
“I was caught up in the divisive political climate that exists nationally, and I shouldn’t have been,” Ludwig reportedly wrote. “That being said, it’s not becoming for the Select Board chair and for that I am regretful and have since deleted my X account and will get out of the political commentary game.”
Ludwig was not present at Tuesday’s meeting, during which community members offered resounding condemnation for his alleged posts.
“I don’t believe he should hold a leadership role in our town, either now or in the future,” said Jane Biering.
Biering accused Ludwig of displaying “a surprising lack of judgment and self-discipline,” adding, “his views are so out of keeping with the values of Harvard that he has no standing to call himself or be called a leader in this town.”
Advertisement:
Kathy Waugh said Ludwig’s alleged online conduct is insulting to his constituents who are women, people of color, or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Colleen Pearce, who authored one of the complaints to the Select Board, added: “You have lost credibility and our trust that you can treat your Harvard neighbors with fairness and respect, knowing that when you take off your Select Board hat, your judgment is dependent on others’ race, gender, or who they love.”
Other community members were more reconciliatory, even as they called for Ludwig’s resignation.
“We need him off the board immediately, but not out of town,” Jen Manell. “We build community, and we take care of our neighbors here. And that includes Don. It’s never too late for him to realize and admit that he’s been tricked. He’s been lied to and manipulated by grifters. I hope he can be brave and do the right thing.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com