Across the country, Democratic officials are condemning party member Ralph Northam due to an unearthed medical yearbook photo of the Virginia governor dressed either as a man painted in stereotypical racist blackface or dressed as a KKK member. The photo from 1984 was first discovered by BigLeaguePolitics.com, has been confirmed, and has caused an uproar across the political spectrum as liberal elected officials call for Gov. Northam's resignation.
Despite Democrats still praising an actual former Klansman from their party -- a la the dead Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia -- party officials are saying that Gov. Northam must resign and step down so the nation can "move forward" after the shocking yearbook photo.
2020 presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris of California remarked the "stain of racism" has "no place in the "halls of government" and called for his resignation.
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
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says that he sees no "other choice" but for the governor to step down.
BREAKING: "I don't see that the governor has any other choice but to step aside," New Jersey Gov. Murphy tells @chrislhayes after revelation of Virginia Gov. Northam in racist 1980s yearbook photo. pic.twitter.com/N2Bwl57Pjl
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) February 2, 2019
2020 presidential candidate Julian Castro has also called Gov. Northam's resignation, calling this behavior "racist and unconscionable."
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
Others have said there is "no excuse" for a "shockingly racist" photo.
Governor Ralph Northam must resign. There is no excuse for the shockingly racist picture. I note that Florida Republican Secretary of State Michael Ertel resigned last month for being in blackface. This picture is even worse. It's blackface next to a KKK figure. https://t.co/0Ujze6odGW
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) February 2, 2019
As Matt reported earlier today, Gov. Northam has apologized and says "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.”