Did Village Trustee Candidate's Facebook Post Mocking Women's March Cross the Line?

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A Facebook post mocking the Women's March by an unopposed village board candidate has upset some residents who think it's an inappropriate message for an elected official to be sending.

Recently, Dr. Joe Favia, an Arlington Heights dentist who is one of four candidates running uncontested for the Village Board, shared a meme about the Women's March on his brother's Facebook page, according to the Daily Herald. The posting included a photo of the Jan. 21 event and the caption, "In one day, Trump got more fat women out walking, than Michelle Obama did in 8 years," along with Favia's own comment, "Hilarious!!!" the report added.

Favia told the Herald the post, which has been deleted, was intended to be a personal thing between brothers and meant as a joke, not something malicious. He added that it wasn't to fat shame or disrespect women.

But some residents didn't see it that way, and they want Favia to withdraw his candidacy, the report stated. Lauree Harp, a volunteer involved in village politics who attended Chicago's "sister march," told the Herald she and other voters plan to attend Monday's village board to ask the candidate to drop out of the race.

"This is not an individual — who mocks and mimics women — that I see is a person to represent our village," Harp told the Herald.

Favia, who has no plans of ending his campaign, has his defenders.

"I have worked for Dr. Favia for almost a decade. He is not a person who 'shames' anyone, for any reason," Julie Schwaiger, who works at Favia's dental practice, wrote on Facebook. "I have only known him to look for the good in people. He encourages and supports his staff to be the best we can be. As a leader, he is forward thinking and always positive. Arlington Heights will be better with Dr. Joseph Favia as a Trustee … trust me!"

Even though the unopposed Favia hasn't been elected yet, Mayor Tom Hayes told the Herald he will be talking to Favia about the post and what officials need to be aware of when using social media.

In fact, the experience has already changed the way Favia engages with online platforms, such as Facebook.

"My humor won't change, but what I post most definitely will," he told the Herald.

The consolidated general election is April 4.

YOUR TURN: Was Dr. Joe Favia's Facebook post cross the line for what's appropriate for a potential elected village official? Should he drop out of the race because of it? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section. Plus, take Patch's poll on the topic.

More via the Daily Herald

Dr. Joe Favia (photo via Patch archive)

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