Reports: Virginia Gov. Has No Immediate Plan to Resign
A high-ranking Democratic official says that Gov. Ralph Northam does not plan to resign immediately amid mounting calls from his own party and Republicans alike to resign after a photo surfaced showing a blackface costume and a KKK robe.
Northam initially planned to resign after speaking with the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, but later had a change of heart, the source says. After saying that he was in the photo, he now insists neither figure wearing a racist costume was him.
He plans to make an official statement Saturday amid immense pressure to step down.
"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," a statement from the party said.
They reiterated a call for the governor to step down and allow Lt. Gov Justin Fairfax to lead the state.
"We stand with Democrats across Virginia and the country calling him to immediately resign. He no longer has our confidence or our support."
The Associated Press also reports that Northam has no immediate plans to resign.
Northam initially gave no signal in two public statements that he would resign, and has not provided a public update since.
"I am ready to do the hard work of regaining your trust. I have spent the past year as your governor fighting for a Virginia that works better for all people. I am committed to continuing that fight through the remainder of my term and living up to the expectations you set for me when you elected me to serve," he said in a video posted Friday night.
It's unclear how Northam's future as governor will play out without support from his own or opposition parties.
After the photo surfaced, a wave of calls for resignation crashed onto Richmond from the left and right. Pressure mounted after he met late Friday with the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.
"We fully appreciate all that he has contributed to our Commonwealth. But given what was revealed today, it is clear that he can no longer effectively serve as Governor," the VLBC said.
"That might have been the tipping point," longtime News4 political reporter Tom Sherwood said.
Criticism erupted over a photo from 1984 that was published Friday by the conservative outlet Big League Politics. Northam admitted Friday that he is featured in the photo, which was printed on his yearbook page next to photos of him. He didn't say whether he was the figure dressed in blackface or a KKK robe.
Prominent figures including former Vice President Joe Biden, former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, the chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, several 2020 presidential candidates and the NAACP called for Northam to leave office.
Protesters also gathered outside the governor's mansion in Richmond demanding Northam resign.
Sherwood reports that Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is preparing to take over the governor's seat. Fairfax is the second African-American ever man to be elected to statewide office in Virginia.
Virginia House Speaker Kirk Cox, Majority Leader Todd Gilbert and more legislative leaders said Saturday that Northam should resign.
"We agree with the powerful words of our colleagues in the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus," a group statement said. "His ability to lead and govern is permanently impaired and the interests of the Commonwealth necessitate his resignation."
State Sen. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth, a close ally of Northam and longtime African-American lawmaker, told The Associated Press on Saturday black leaders felt "mortally wounded" by the photo and that he has no option but to resign.
"He betrayed us," she said.
Here's more reaction from political leaders:
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from NBC New York - Top Stories http://bit.ly/2t3xIts
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