Calls for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s resignation are piling up.
Numerous high-profile Democrats and liberal organizations called for Northam to resign after a decades-old yearbook photo showed him wearing either blackface or a Ku Klux Klan hood and robe.
The Democrat gave no indication in a statement Friday that he would step down as governor.
Northam said he was “deeply sorry” for the racist photo from the 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook, but did not identify which person he was in the photo.
“It will take time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused,” his statement said.
Some liberal groups, however, are unwilling to give him another chance.
Julian Castro became the first Democratic presidential candidate to condemn the comments and ask for his resignation.
“It doesn’t matter if he is a Republican or a Democrat. This behavior was racist and unconscionable. Governor Northam should resign,” he wrote.
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
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., urged Northam to step aside so the state could heal. Harris, an African-American, is also running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
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
Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., a potential 2020 candidate, said Northam is no longer able to effectively lead the state.
No, you can’t wear a black face or a white hood and lead a state. Not now and not ever. But we are merciful people. Governor Northam should step down, seek forgiveness, and through good deeds earn the respect of the African-American Community.
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) February 2, 2019
“I believe in personal forgiveness & public repentance. That is not the same as deserving the confidence bestowed in our elected officials. The picture was horrifying and deserves a clear response. Ralph Northam should resign,” tweeted Guy Cecil, the chairman of the prominent Democratic super PAC Priorities USA.
I believe in personal forgiveness & public repentance. That is not the same as deserving the confidence bestowed in our elected officials. The picture was horrifying and deserves a clear response. Ralph Northam should resign. https://t.co/cZBbzYeMFQ
— Guy Cecil (@guycecil) February 1, 2019
MoveOn said Northam should “immediately resign” if he was either of the two people in the photo. The progressive advocacy group sent its tweet about the same time Northam released his statement confirming he appeared in the photo.
If @RalphNortham is one of the two people pictured in the highly disturbing, horrific photo wearing either blackface or a KKK hood – or if he selected or approved of its use on his yearbook page — he should immediately resign. There are no excuses for such a racist display.
— MoveOn (@MoveOn) February 1, 2019
Liberal website the Daily Kos also joined in the calls for Northam to step down.
“No apology is enough. Northam must resign immediately,” the website’s founder Markos Moulitsas said in a statement.
