Monroe school board candidate withdraws following NJ Globe report

A School Board candidate in Monroe Township, Gloucester County, withdrew from the race following a New Jersey Globe report on racist Facebook posts the man made between 2013 and 2016.

Rick Jankowski, a carpenter, had made posts on Facebook calling black people “animals” and “fucking monkeys.”

“I’m sorry. There isn’t much more than I can say except for that. I would like to extend my heartfelt apologies to those that I have offended and to those who have supported me in my endeavors,” Jankowski said in a posting announcing his withdrawal from the race. “Regarding the remarks that were recently published, I want you to know that I wrote those remarks in anger from what I have seen transpire through our country over the years.  I acknowledge this is not an excuse for my actions. I know many will say I am apologizing because those remarks surfaced and I assure you this is not the case. I could have deleted the posts or made my page private, but I didn’t because that’s not who I am.”

Jankowski’s departure leaves five candidates, including two incumbents, in the race. They’ll vie for three seats on the board.