Virginians are split whether Gov. Ralph Northam (D) should resign after a photo on his 1984 medical school yearbook page showed people in blackface and Ku Klux Klan garb.
A new poll shows Virginia voters split over Northam’s fate with 47% signaling he should resign while 47% saying he should remain in office.
Somewhat surprisingly, 58% of African Americans feel he should stay in office, according to the Washington Post-Schar School poll.
Regarding the other two scandals going on in the state, 60% of Virginians think Attorney General Mark Herring stay in office after he admitted to dressing in blackface in 1980 when he was 19.
But allegations of sexual assault and rape have left Virginians unsure of Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax with 65% saying they don’t know enough about the alleged incidents.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam addresses blackface scandal
High profile Democrats are calling for their colleague, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, to step down after photos from his 1984 medical school yearbook appear to show him dressing up in racist costumes.
The Virginian-Pilot obtained a photo of his yearbook page showing what appears to be men in either blackface or a Ku Klux Klan uniform, although it wasn’t clear which person was the future governor.
BREAKING: Gov. Ralph Northam yearbook page shows blackface and Klan photohttps://t.co/6A89ejp5Ho
“I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now,” Northam said. “This behavior is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine and in public service. But I want to be clear, I understand how this decision shakes Virginians’ faith in that commitment. I recognize that it will take time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused. I am ready to do that important work. The first step is to offer my sincerest apology and to state my absolute commitment to living up to the expectations Virginians set for me when they elected me to be their governor.”
And that was followed by a video where he again asked for forgiveness but promised to serve out his term as governor which ends in 2022.
My fellow Virginians, earlier today I released a statement apologizing for behavior in my past that falls far short of the standard you set for me when you elected me to be your governor. I believe you deserve to hear directly from me. pic.twitter.com/1rSw1oxfrX
But this morning, Northam is reversing saying it isn’t him in the photo.
According to today’s Virginian-Pilot, he called state Sen. Louise Lucas to say, “I”m not going to resign because it’s not me in the photo.”
Her response – “Then you waited too long to say it wasn’t you.”
“He should have said that yesterday then,” Lucas told The Washington Post. “He just told me he didn’t think it’s him. And I said, ‘Ralph, this is a day late and a dollar short. It’s too late.’”
Virginia Democrats have asked the governor to step down as well as former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
We made the decision to let Governor Northam do the correct thing and resign this morning – we have gotten word he will not do so this morning.
Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro was the first 2020 Democratic presidential candidate to call on Northam to resign, followed by Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Kirsten Gillibrand.
Democratic New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also called on Northam to resign.
Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax would become governor should Northam step down.
Donald Trump took to Twitter this morning to campaign for the Republican candidate for Virginia governor, Ed Gillespie, who is currently trailing in the polls by about 4 points.
“Ed Gillespie will turn the really bad Virginia economy #’s around, and fast. Strong on crime, he might even save our great statues/heritage!” wrote Trump.
He also took a swipe at the Democratic candidate, Ralph Northam, saying “His opponent doesn’t even show up to meetings/work, and will be VERY weak on crime!”
Just four minutes later, Northam, a military veteran and physician, slapped back: “I served 8 years in the Army, took care of sick kids, and am running to build a more inclusive Virginia. Don’t talk to me about showing up.”
BOOM!
Talk about “showing up,” Northam was the volunteer director of a children’s hospital for eighteen years.
Ed Gillespie will turn the really bad Virginia economy #’s around, and fast. Strong on crime, he might even save our great statues/heritage!
I served 8 years in the Army, took care of sick kids, and am running to build a more inclusive Virginia. Don’t talk to me about showing up. https://t.co/jzDx9bS6mh
