Two candidates in a Marlboro Township school board race have dropped out following the revelation of disturbing text messages targeting conservative board member Danielle Bellomo. The messages, from a group chat named 'ThisB****NeedsToDie,' included vulgar threats against Bellomo. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
In Marlboro Township, New Jersey, a contentious school board election turned scandalous when leaked text messages exposed threats against incumbent Danielle Bellomo, a conservative mother of three serving on the board. The messages originated from candidate Scott Semaya, who was part of a group chat titled 'ThisB****NeedsToDie.' One alleged text from Semaya read: 'Bellomo must be cold — her nips could cut glass right n–,' referring vulgarly to Bellomo's appearance. Other participants reportedly included Chad Hyett, the school's vice president, and the husband of another board member.
Bellomo described the content to the New York Post as including 'very specific actions that they want to do to me and what their intention is.' She added, 'These text messages are the first time I was able to see they don’t want me alive.' Semaya and fellow candidate Melissa Goldberg, who ran together under the slate Collaborators for Responsible Education (CORE), suspended their campaigns shortly after the leaks. Semaya cited 'family circumstances,' while Goldberg mentioned 'other responsibilities.' Goldberg was not part of the group chat.
On October 8, Bellomo posted on Facebook: 'After what has been a grueling 18 months, I would like to share that Melissa Goldberg and Scott Semaya have dropped out of the election. Hate has no place in Marlboro and the actions of Scott Semaya and the other men in that group chat should never be tolerated. I am happy that we have ended this cycle of hate.'
The next day, October 9, Democrat Mayor Jonathan Hornik issued a strong condemnation, stating: 'I have been made aware of a series of text messages exchanged by Marlboro Board of Education members and BOE candidates. Let me be clear – the content of these messages is completely unacceptable and those responsible are clearly not equipped to hold public office.' He referenced broader concerns about rising violence against officials, including recent incidents like the murder of Minnesota Representative Hortman and activist Charlie Kirk, and noted an active police investigation. Bellomo thanked the mayor, saying his words meant much to her family and urged others to join in denouncing hate.
This local scandal echoes similar text controversies, such as one involving Virginia Democrat Jay Jones, but highlights escalating tensions in school board politics.