Bree Montoya resigned from the Ward 3 council member seat during Norman City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday.
“I just have one announcement,” Montoya said. “In various capacities, I have served this community since 2008 and I am ready to pursue other interests. Effective immediately, I am resigning as council member for Ward 3.”
Bree Montoya resigns from Ward 3 city council seat.
Montoya’s resignation comes after screenshots of now-deleted Facebook comments were reposted by popular social media account, Libs of TikTok, on the social platform X. In the screenshots, Montoya is seen engaging with another individual in the comments of a KFOR-TV post about the “No Kings” protests, where she encouraged the user to perform acts of suicide.
Montoya told audience members she will “pursue other interests,” but did not address the Facebook posts. After the announcement, around half of the 80-plus audience members clapped.
Montoya issued an apology for the comments in a Facebook post Sunday, stating she had apologized to the other commenter “soon after” the initial comments were made.
“There are no words to express how awful, inappropriate, and unacceptable my comments were. An exchange between an individual and myself got way out of hand, and in a moment of personal distress, I was completely out of line,” Montoya wrote. “I was immediately disgusted with myself and knew I had crossed an unimaginable line.”
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman addressed residents immediately after Montoya’s resignation, stating the city invites participation from residents, but wants to create a respectful environment.
“While we honor the right to free speech, we must also maintain an environment that is respectful, orderly and conducive to productive discussion,” Holman said. “Everyone attending can reasonably expect that the meeting will proceed in an environment of mutual respect among the elected officials, presenters and audience that is free from, consequently, disruptions, personal attacks and behavior that detracts from the purpose of the meeting.”
Montoya also attended council’s special session meeting while reading a book.
Montoya exited the city hall chamber through a door behind the Ward 3 council seat. OU Daily reporters could not find her after the meeting.
Electing a new council member
Montoya’s resignation comes just over a month after former Ward 5 council member Michael Nash resigned from his position in August. His seat was filled by Brandon Nofire, who was approved by council two weeks ago.
According to the city charter, council will create a committee comprised of Ward 3 residents to interview applicants and make an appointment recommendation. Ward 3 residents interested in filling Montoya’s seat would apply at city hall and be interviewed by the committee, which would make a final recommendation to council.
Council has 60 days to appoint someone to finish Montoya’s term, and if a new representative is not appointed in that time, council will call a special election, the city charter states.
Whoever is appointed to fill Montoya’s seat will serve until February, when regular elections for Wards 2, 4, 6 and 8 and a special election for the Ward 5 seat will be held.
This story was edited by Natalie Armour and Ana Barboza.
