Youngkin wants controversial U-Va. board member to resign, people familiar say

[mahatmakanejeeves]

I thought he was Youngkin's darling. Youngkin wanted a bomb thrower, and his wish was fulfilled.

Higher Education
Youngkin wants controversial U-Va. board member to resign, people familiar say
Bert Ellis, appointed by the governor in 2022, has so far refused to step down, the people said.

March 24, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. EDT


Bert Ellis, a member of the University of Virginia's Board of Visitors, on the campus in Charlottesville on July 23, 2022. (Jason Lappa/for The Washington Post)

By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff and Laura Vozzella

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) wants to remove one of his appointees on the governing board of the University of Virginia, worried that the member’s outspoken and sometimes combative manner could undermine efforts to reshape the state’s flagship university, according to two people familiar with the matter. ... Bert Ellis, a U-Va. alumnus, has so far refused requests to step down from the university’s Board of Visitors, according to the two people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a confidential matter. Ellis, who was appointed to the board in 2022, declined to comment on the situation.

The tensions come as Youngkin, who is in his final year in office, wants to take more steps to remake the culture of Virginia universities, which he believes are too liberal, and continue to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education statewide, they say. Ellis and other board members voted unanimously earlier this month to close a stand-alone DEI office at U-Va. ... While Ellis and the governor share a goal in remaking U-Va.’s campus climate, the two people familiar with the situation said the friction stems from a difference in style.

The governor has famously pushed to end DEI and for other right-wing causes in the manner of a cheerful suburban dad, casting the change in an interview with Fox News as a means to “restoring merit-based opportunity.” Ellis in a recent interview with the Daily Progress about the university said that “every aspect of DEI is to be ripped out, shredded and terminated.”

A senior Youngkin official suggested earlier this month that Ellis step down and publicly attribute the decision to his busy business career or health problems, according to one of the two people familiar with the matter. Ellis declined, saying that would amount to lying — an offense under the university’s honor code, that person said. ... Ellis is scheduled to meet with Youngkin on Tuesday to discuss the matter, according to one of the people. ... U-Va. did not respond to a request for comment Saturday. The governor’s office said it does not comment on personnel matters.

{snip}

[underpants]

1. Sounds like Youngkin is trying to distance himself for his future plans

I’d guess Youngkin wants to run against Warner (if he runs) in 2026. Other than that Youngkin sits back, reaps in the former Governor “rain maker” lobbying money, sets up a PAC, and gets ready for a POTUS run in 2028.

[drmeow]

2. They are both assholes nt