U.S. News

Gov. Ralph Northam Calls ‘Urgent Meeting’ in the Middle of Calls for Resignation

Reporter Tiffany Jones

The Democratic Virginia governor, holding to office despite widespread calls for resignation, now claims he is not in the 1984 photograph from his Alma Mater yearbook, though he admitted wearing blackface during a separate instance that year.

Virginia House Democrats called for Northam’s resignation saying, “We regret to say that we are no longer confident in the Governor’s representation of Virginians. Though it brings us no joy to do so, we must call for Governor Northam’s resignation.” The photo emerged on the first day of Black History Month with a post by the right wing blog Big League Politics, immediately drawing national attention. While people on both sides of the aisle are calling for him to resign, Governor Northam had issued both a written and a video apology hinting that he will not step down . Senate Mark Warner said, “This photo is shocking and deeply offensive, all the more so because of Virginia’s long and painful history of racism and violence toward African Americans. Richard Homan, the school president, held a press conference to address the scandal and the history of racism at the institution. The Governor must now listen to the people and communities he has hurt, and carefully consider what comes next.” The Governor’s refusal to resign plunged Virginia into political turmoil and created a crisis for national Democrats, who have assailed President Trump for his demagogy on racial issues and have made plain that they cannot abide a prominent party leader associated with emblems of bigotry.

Northam’s news conference did not appear to change many minds. By the time it concluded, Virginia’s Legislative Black Caucus had already reaffirmed their own call for the governor to quit. If Northam does ultimately resign, LT. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who is black, would become the State’s Governor. Mr. Fairfax broke his silence after the governor’s news conference, but did not directly urge him to stay or go, saying in a statement that “We must make decisions in the best interests of the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Northam called the picture of two men “offensive, racist, and despicable.” But he said, “I cannot in good conscience choose the path that would be easier, for me to duck my responsibility to reconcile.” It is not clear how long Mr. Northam can last. He will have a difficult time recruiting businesses to the state and could also face challenges raising campaign contributions, which is crucial given that all 140 seats of the state legislature are on the ballot this fall and Democrats need to win only a handful of races to take control of both chambers.