Here's who has called on Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to resign
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is facing mounting pressure to resign after a racist photo from his yearbook surfaced.
The photo, which features a person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe, was featured on Northam's page in a 1984 medical school yearbook. The Virginia Democrat first apologized for being in the photo but later backtracked and said he didn't believe he was pictured.
Since the photo was widely publicized, a number of prominent figures have called on Northam to resign:
Virginia Democrats Rep. Bobby Scott and Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner
My statement with Senators @timkaine and @MarkWarner urging Governor Northam to resign. pic.twitter.com/caAx6Im0Ga
— Rep. Bobby Scott (@BobbyScott) February 2, 2019
Rep. Donald McEachin, D-Va.
"We were elected to the State Senate at the same time. But look, he’s lost the authority to lead. He's lost the authority to govern. He has to resign. It's in the best interest of the Commonwealth. It's in the best interest of the party."
Former Virginia governor L. Douglas Wilder
I stated, earlier, that Gov. Northam’s continuing in office was his choice to make. It is difficult for anyone who watched the press conference today to conclude that he has any other choice ... but to resign.
— L. Douglas Wilder (@GovernorWilder) February 3, 2019
Former vice president Joe Biden
There is no place for racism in America. Governor Northam has lost all moral authority and should resign immediately, Justin Fairfax is the leader Virginia needs now.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) February 2, 2019
Former attorney general Eric Holder
I have come to know Ralph Northam as a good, very decent man. I regretfully conclude that he does not now have the ability to effectively govern and effectively stand for the issues - moral and political - that Virginia and the nation must confront. The Governor should resign.
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) February 2, 2019
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.
Leaders are called to a higher standard, and the stain of racism should have no place in the halls of government. The Governor of Virginia should step aside so the public can heal and move forward together.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 2, 2019
Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio
"I think he should resign now. He then can contribute to this dialogue, but as I said he should do it as a private citizen."
Former Housing and Urban Development secretary Julian Castro
It doesn’t matter if he is a Republican or a Democrat. This behavior was racist and unconscionable. Governor Northam should resign.
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) February 2, 2019
Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif.
"I think he's been completely dishonest and disingenuous. He knew this picture was there and he could have come clean and talked to African Americans that he's close to decades ago and I think given the overall climate around race in this country especially over the last two years, it’s completely unacceptable. The good news is though that there is a zero tolerance and people do understand and he needs to resign immediately to stop the pain in Virginia, and, frankly around the nation.”
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser
If Governor Northam loves Virginia the way I know he does, he will resign to allow the Commonwealth to focus on its place in addressing the history of slavery and racism in America.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) February 3, 2019
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
Northam must resign, and those who try to help him stumble past this deserve scrutiny.
If you can’t understand how painful + eroding this is to American society, let alone the state of Virginia, take some time to read up this weekend.
To start, try “Between the World and Me.” https://t.co/Fm0srrPZgN— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 3, 2019
NAACP President Derrick Johnson
"I have not spoken with Northam. Our state president in Virginia has spoken with him and our position is the same. We think it's time for him to resign."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here's who has called on Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to resign