McKay condemned for calling a school board member a ‘bimbo’
Members of the General Assembly, the Fairfax County School Board, and the teachers union condemned Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair Jeff McKay’s use of a sexist and derogatory slur to criticize a school board member.
McKay referred to Melanie Meren, who represents the Hunter Mill District, as a “bimbo,” after she called the Board of Supervisors’ termination of high school crossing guards a “bad decision.”
Misogynistic and sexist
Sixteen members of the Fairfax County delegation to the General Assembly issued a statement calling the use of that word by McKay “outrageous and deeply disturbing.”
“Calling a woman a ‘bimbo’ for doing her job is unacceptable,” the legislators said. “No woman, in elected office or not, should have to tolerate misogyny, sexism, and disrespectful slurs. … Elected officials at every level have the right and responsibility to speak out when policy decisions affect the people they were elected to represent.”
The statement was signed by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell; Senators Stella Pekarsky, Saddam Salim, Jennifer Boysko, and Elizabeth Bennett-Parker; House Majority Leader Charniele Herring; and Delegates Karen Keys-Gamarra, Irene Shin, Karrie Delaney, Dan Helmer, Holly Seibold, Marcus Simon, Vivian Watts, Laura Jane Cohen, Kathy Tran, and Rozia Henson.
The Fairfax County School Board released a statement on May 15 calling McKay’s use of a misogynistic term “unacceptable and unprofessional.”
“As elected leaders, we have both the right and the duty to represent our constituents and to express our views through advocacy with other leaders,” the school board states. “This moment must serve as an opportunity to elevate that public discourse to a more considerate, professional level. … We owe it to our students, families, and educators to act with civility and treat each other respectfully.”
The Fairfax County Federation of Teachers also condemned McKay for referring to a female elected official as a “bimbo.” The union says, “Issuing a personal, gender-based attack in response to a policy disagreement is indicative of a politician who acts without accountability.”
Kids’ safety at risk
The controversy began when Meren sent a newsletter to her constituents on May 7 that criticized County Executive Bryan Hill for putting forth a county budget for FY 2027 that denied funding for high school crossing guards. “So, in the exact locations with the newest drivers, safety precautions are being removed!” she wrote, accusing Hill of “balancing the budget on the backs of our kids’ safety.”
In a private message to Meren, McKay criticized her newsletter comments and asked her to apologize to Hill. “I thought you were better than this,” he wrote. Then, in a group chat with Meren and Hill, McKay sent a screenshot of his messages to Meren, adding, “what I sent the bimbo.”
Meren responded to McKay, “Am I the ‘the bimbo,’ Jeff?”
McKay shot back: “Yes, because you have everyone here angry as heck and it costs the schools. Did you think about that before you sent out the ridiculous newsletter? You have to stop the finger-pointing all the time. It’s exhausting and harmful.”
Meren then posted screenshots of the texts with McKay on Facebook on May 13.
“As shocked as I was to be degraded by the highest-level countywide elected official in Fairfax County, I am more concerned about the Chairman’s sense of entitlement about having unilateral authority on public spending,” Meren wrote on Facebook.
“I will continue speaking truth to power and standing up for student safety. I hope others will show up and speak up to do the same,” she said.
An apology
McKay issued a public apology on Facebook on May 13, stating, “I used an inappropriate term while referring to School Board Member Meren that was disrespectful and wrong, and I apologize for it.”
“Substantive disagreements are fair to discuss, but I should have expressed those views professionally,” McKay said. “That language does not reflect the standard I expect of myself or the level of respect owed to my colleagues and the public we serve.” He also reached out directly to Meren to apologize personally.
Under the county budget approved for FY 2027, crossing guards will be eliminated for high schools but will be funded for elementary, middle, and secondary schools through a contract with All City Management Services administered by the Fairfax County Police Department.
McKay’s was an “I’m sorry I got caught” non-apology. Men who call women “bimbo” are unfit to lead Fairfax County, as they have revealed their contempt for women and proven their inability to respect–much less implement–the One Fairfax policy. That policy calls for fairness, justice, equity for all County residents regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or gender. McKay has broken trust with the women of the County, including Democratic donors, and must step aside now.
Ask Jeffrey McKay about not responding to the letter dated October 1, 2024 17 1/2 months
He didn’t “say” it. It wasn’t in the heat of battle. It didn’t just slip out during a fit of anger. He wrote it. Thought about what he was going to say first, then wrote it.
Glad I already didn’t like him.
“That language does not reflect the standard I expect of myself or the level of respect owed to my colleagues and the public we serve.”
These people are shameless. If this language is unacceptable and not who you are, then why did you use it and why.are asking the public to accept it?
We used to demand better from our elected officials. Now, we all say that our public officials shouldn’t be sexist or racist or whatever, but then don’t hold them to account when they are.
The supervisor should resign. The same as Jen Kiggans should resign.
Politics has rough edges. This is a simple fact. But rough edges do not excuse crude, denigrating behaviors and words. McKay’s initial comment and his direct response to Meren are, in a word, abhorrent. Publius prays he will take time to think about who he really is and who he really wants to be. His compass is clearly broken.
State legislators, the School Board, and teachers have all denounced McKay’s use of the derogatory sexist term. Interesting that none of McKay’s fellow Board of Supervisors have weighed in on the matter. I worked for one in Mason that I’m sure would have no problem using such a term (or worse) for a woman who disagreed with him.
Mr McKay, BoS Chair, needs to resign and let someone more in touch with civility and respect for other officials. With the number of folks who continue to drive through with students present (either at a crossing guard area or just in a designated crosswalk) as well as people who drive past stopped school buses with flashing lights out, the county could help fund the services through the penalties associated with those violations, as well as school zone speeding violations.
Honestly, who cares about this stupid comment? Everyone complaining has said far, FAR – FAR worse. And you’ve said it to people who were more important, when your role was more important than this silly supervisor’s.
“Oh he represents, bla BLA.” Spare me. Dredge some honesty from your deepest depths. Not every single thing is PC.
D.C. recently built statues of Marion Barry. Need I repeat what he did?
Don’t be such a hypocrite. Save Jeff McKay. He is MY SUPERVISOR.
Are you serious with this comment? WOW
You accidentally added a J and a space in your username.
Too funny!!!
This is deeply offensive to hear the Chairman of the BOS referring to a School Board member in this way!
I, myself, have been at the receiving end of an email from Jeff McKay that was dismissive of efforts to implore the County to save nearly $1M to end placing a “sidewalk to nowhere” on Justice Park. This concrete is being placed over top of a needed stream restoration, will destroy several mature trees and cut deeply into the park’s urban forestland! It’s an unnecessary impervious surface being placed even though a fully connective sidewalk was placed just across the street to improve walkability & safety!
We need elected County leaders to be people of honor and integrity; not dismissive of women and advocates for financial accountability in this 5.7 B budget of ours!