A candidate for a Sacramento-area school board has acknowledged using the words “retards” and “gay” as slurs in a series of social media posts that recently resurfaced on Reddit.
On Monday, a Reddit user shared screenshots of posts published on X earlier this year by an account that appeared to belong to Kirk Thomson, a candidate for trustee of the Elk Grove Unified School District.
In one post, responding to a question about whether users were comfortable with the slur “retard,” the account said it was acceptable “only when describing Democrat politicians and their ideas.”
The account allegedly used the slur repeatedly, at one point suggesting the word was “making a comeback” and using it to describe commentator Piers Morgan.
The posts also used “gay” as an insult and appeared to allude to a racial slur, The Sacramento Bee first reported.
The posts appear to date from 2025 and 2026. Thomson’s account on X now appears to have been deleted.
After the posts resurfaced, Thomson acknowledged the remarks in a statement to media outlets and apologized, while indicating that he did not intend to leave the race.
“Old posts from my personal Twitter account surfaced this week, and I used language that is hurtful to people with disabilities. That was wrong. I am genuinely sorry for it. No excuses. I own it,” he said.
“This isn’t abstract for me. My own child has a disability, and my family knows firsthand what it takes to get kids like ours the support they deserve. That’s why I’m running: for stronger special ed programs and real transparency from the EGUSD board.”
Several elected officials have condemned the posts and withdrawn their endorsements of Thomson.
School board trustee Heidi Moore said she was rescinding her earlier endorsement after learning about the comments.
Republican Assemblymember Josh Hoover also announced that he was withdrawing his support.
“Kirk Thomson’s language and comments are unacceptable, especially for an individual seeking to represent students and families on the school board,” Hoover said.
Several law enforcement organizations, including the Elk Grove Police Officers Association and the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, likewise pulled their endorsements.
The groups said the remarks “do not reflect the values or standards” expected of law enforcement officers.
Thomson is challenging incumbent Michael Vargas. His children attend schools in the district, and his campaign platform focuses on stronger fiscal oversight of the board and greater transparency with parents.
He has previously taken positions on other contentious issues, including backing a ban on transgender students competing in girls’ sports.
