Wilton candidate faces backlash for social media posts

<p>Critics blasted a Wilton school board candidate Thursday over controversial comments she posted online as far back as two years ago.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 2, 2017, 7:20 PM

Updated 2,365 days ago

Share:

Critics blasted a Wilton school board candidate Thursday over controversial comments she posted online as far back as two years ago.
Andrea Preston, an outspoken conservative, posted the remarks to closed Facebook groups, but they garnered public attention Wednesday.
In one post, she accused "wacko Black Lives Matter people" of encouraging violence against police. She went on to write, "Michael Brown and others (involved in police shootings) got what was coming to them."
Michael Brown was an unarmed black man shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014. A grand jury cleared the officer of wrongdoing.
Another post, in response to Wilton High School students chanting "build the wall" at a football game, she wrote that she did not find the statement offensive.
And in yet another post, she wrote, "I support the Confederate flag because it's a symbol of heritage."
Despite the posts, she defended herself in a recent one that reads, "Regardless of what anyone thinks of my political beliefs, it is misleading and wrong to suggest that a handful of social media posts are a representation of the way I conduct myself as a professional and as a volunteer in Wilton."
Preston declined to speak with News 12 directly.
Some Facebook commenters have defended her posts.


More from News 12
1:49
Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

0:56
Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

Sunny for the rest of the workweek ahead before possible wet weekend in Hudson Valley

1:25
Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

Westchester County preps for President Joe Biden's visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:30
Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

0:23
Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

0:42
Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

1:54
State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

0:44
Carmel Board of Education expected to approve budget that cuts more than $5 million

Carmel Board of Education expected to approve budget that cuts more than $5 million

0:40
Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

0:31
Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

2:07
​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

0:36
Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

0:28
President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:31
Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

0:57
Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

1:49
Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

Proposal for Putnam County lithium-ion battery storage station raises concerns in Westchester

0:41
Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

Fire destroys car, damages garage in Rhinebeck

0:32
Repeat offender arrested on trespassing charge in Ulster County

Repeat offender arrested on trespassing charge in Ulster County