West Virginia Mayor Resigns After Controversial Facebook Post About Michelle Obama

The White House(HUNTINGTON, W.V.) — The West Virginia mayor who received backlash after posting a controversial comment about Michelle Obama on Facebook has resigned.

Clay County Mayor Beverly Whaling came under fire after she appeared to agree with a racist comment posted about the first lady on social media.

“It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House,” wrote Clay County Development Corporation director Pamela Ramsey Taylor following Election Day. “I’m tired of seeing an ape in heels.”

Whaling “liked” Taylor’s Facebook post and commented, “Just made my day Pam.” The post was first reported by WSAZ-TV and was shared hundreds of times before it was deleted.

On Tuesday, Whaling submitted a letter announcing her resignation, which she said would be “effective immediately,” ABC affiliate WCHS-TV in Charleston, West Virginia reported. Whaling also issued an apology to the media saying her comment was not meant to be racist.

“I was referring to my day being made for change in the White House! I am truly sorry for any hard feeling this may have caused! Those who know me know that I’m not in any way racist!” Whaling wrote.

Whaling’s resignation came prior to a previously scheduled meeting to take place Tuesday, where the town council was expected to discuss the issue. Taylor told WCHS-TV Monday night that she had been put on leave.

ABC News could not reach Whaling or Taylor’s offices for comment.

A petition on the website Care2 calling for Whaling’s and Taylor’s resignations has garnered more than 154,000 signatures.

“Every grant and piece of paper Mrs. Taylor and Ms. Whaling have to fill out and sign promises equal opportunities and a racism free workplace,” the petition said. “They both need to go. This type of public discourse is completely unacceptable.”

 

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