NJ Women’s March Founder Calls for Resignation of Her Township Official Over Racist Comment About Isaias Repairs

Branchburg, NJ – A social media comment regarding out of state power company workers, made by Branchburg Township Committee member and former mayor, Anna Columbus, on Saturday, has Women’s March on NJ founder, Elizabeth Meyer, calling for her resignation.

In a post in Facebook’s Branchburg Neighborhood Watch group, Columbus, commented on a post about power company workers from other states coming to assist with repairs from damage by Tropical Storm Isaias. One resident questioned whether workers needed to quarantine for 14 days and “Does the governor know that?”.  Columbus responded, “they came through the Mexican border,” punctuated with a winking emoji face with a tongue sticking out. The remark has since been deleted.

Branchburg resident and march founder, Meyer, is stunned by Columbus’s behavior. “Instead of seizing the opportunity to lead during a time of hardship in our community, Ms. Columbus decided to crack a racist joke,” Meyer said, “Act in accordance with the dignity of your office. Recognize the power of your words. Her conduct has created distrust and division and jeopardized her reputation and that of our township.”

Columbus defended herself further down the post saying, “just for the record I have been going to Mexico since 2001 Every year Mexican friends have spent time vacationing at my home many times A racist I am not.”

This is not the first time Columbus’s social media posts have drawn controversy. In a Facebook post in November 2019, in response to a news article regarding lines at the Somerville Shoprite for a hepatitis A vaccine, Columbus commented, “If they are so worried Why not go to your own Doctors to get the shot Who would stand in line in the cold But people who want everything for FREE.”

Meyer wrestled with calling out the behavior of Columbus. “More women, of all political affiliations, need to be in positions of power,” says Meyer, “But, with comments like these, how am I supposed to stay silent? Branchburg cannot afford to have tone deaf leadership. Ms. Columbus must resign.”

Anna Columbus is set to receive the Millicent Fenwick Award, given by the Somerset County Federation of Republican Women this October.