Virginia governor vows not to resign over racist incident
Ralph Northam refuses to step down amid revelations he wore blackface at a 1980s party
Richmond — Virginia’s embattled Democratic governor vowed in an interview on Monday not to resign over revelations that he wore blackface at a 1980s party, as a web of scandals enveloped three top party officials. A Democratic state legislator, meanwhile, said on Twitter he would not move immediately on his call over the weekend for impeachment proceedings against Virginia’s lieutenant governor, who has been accused of sexually assaulting two women, charges he has denied. The accusations of racist behaviour or sexual assault — hot-button issues in a party that has embraced diversity as one of its key messages — targeting the three men have rattled party leadership in a swing state that likely will play a pivotal role in the 2020 US presidential election. In the unlikely event all three men were to step down, the governorship would pass to the Republican speaker of the state house, which would be a stunning reversal in a state where Democrats have been gaining power in the past few e...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.