A Washington state councilman is under fire for posting a racy photo to promote his speaking tour of local middle and high schools while sporting a “Harry and Meghan”-sized ego.
Josh Binda, 23, was elected in 2021 as the youngest African American to win public office in the history of the City of Lynwood and Washington State.
He has been on a “Love Conquers All” speaking tour of several schools in the district, recently expanding to go to other schools across the state and country, where he says he talks to them “about the importance of lovingly leading and chasing their dreams.”
Binda, a Black Lives Matter activist and progressive who defeated a veteran politician to win the seat, posted a shirtless photo of herself to promote the tour and make big statements about his leadership abilities along the way.
“As I prepare to speak at more conferences and schools in and out of state soon, I’ve had time to reflect on my first tour here and how much all of you students really meant to me,” Binda writes, addressing directly to the minors he intends to talk to.
Josh Binda, 23, was elected in 2021 as the youngest council member in the history of the City of Lynwood. He’s been on a “Love Conquers All” speaking tour of several schools in the district, recently expanding to go to other schools across the state and country, promoting it and causing a backlash with this topless photo
“I truly consider myself a transformative leader of our generation,” he captioned the topless photo. “Someone whose intent is to change the culture and create change that makes a difference in this world.”
“I’m not the leader the system necessarily wants, but I’m the leader the system needs and I’m here to shake things up and break down barriers for future generations,” he added.
The photo provoked reactions on both social media and has found its way outside the neighborhood.
Jason Rantza conservative radio host, said Binda had “an ego that rivaled Meghan and Harry.”
A Facebook commenter added, “Inappropriate for a councilman, but an even more sexualized ad for his Jr High and H. School tours.”
The tour has already sparked controversy, with the Lynwood times noting that he received $14,000 in speaking fees from the schools.
Binda criticized that article’s author, Mario Lotmore, who is also the paper’s publisher, saying that he himself is a former Senate candidate and “made it.” [his] mission to take me down because they see the influence and power I have over the next generation and don’t like it.”
He also called the criticism of him “racism, discrimination, intimidation and disinformation”.
He goes on a “Love Conquers All” speaking tour of several schools in the district
Binda, a Black Lives Matter activist and progressive who defeated a veteran politician to win the seat, posted a shirtless photo of herself to promote the tour and make big statements about his abilities as a leader on it
The photo provoked reactions on both social media and has found its way outside the neighborhood
Asked to confront it again at a recent council meeting, he said, “I think it’s easy to sexualize something that wasn’t meant to be sexual at all.”
Binda — son of Liberian immigrants who literally won a state lottery to enter America before he was born — was studying political science at a university in the state when he won his first election, according to KING5.
A public role in the region’s Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota led him to seek public office.
He defeated Linda Utter, a former councilman who served before he was born, by just over 500 votes.
He has been found guilty of campaign finance charges twice, using thousands of dollars in campaign money on himself and filing months late with his post-election filing.
Binda was fined $1,000 for these violations.
He is also currently facing an investigation from the city for making a promotional video for the lucrative city council chamber tour.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Councilor Binda for comment.