x
Breaking News
More () »

Virginia senators, congress members address scandals

The statement by Virginia congress members said they were "devastated by these horrible developments."

WASHINGTON — Virginia's two U.S. senators and seven Democratic congressmen have released a joint statement responding to the scandals in Virginia's capital.

The top three political leaders in Virginia are under fire.  

A photo in the 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook shows a picture of a person in blackface, and another in a KKK hood. The photo is under Governor Ralph Northam's name.

Last Friday, Northam acknowledged and apologized for the photo, then he backtracked on Saturday and said he was not in the photo.

Multiple leaders and organizations have called for Northam's resignation.

Sexual assault allegations have come out against the second in line, Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax. A claim was posted Sunday night that said he sexually assaulted a woman during the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

The accuser, Vanessa Tyson, detailed her account of what happened on Wednesday.

A second woman came forward on Friday and accused Fairfax of raped her in 2000 at Duke University.

The third in line, Attorney Mark Herring, admitted Wednesday to wearing makeup and a wig to look like a black rapper for a party he attended as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia in 1980.

U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott, Gerry Connolly, Don Beyer, A. Donald McEachin, Elaine Luria, Abigail Spanberger and Jennifer Wexton released the following statement about the scandals:

“Like other Virginians, we have been devastated by these horrible developments. We are brokenhearted that the actions of Governor Northam and Attorney General Herring have reopened old wounds left by Virginia’s long history of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and systemic racism. There’s no question that Virginians’ faith in their government and leaders has understandably been deeply shaken. 

“We have each publicly called for Governor Northam to resign. 

“Yesterday, we were shocked and saddened to learn of the incident in the Attorney General’s past. The Attorney General has earnestly reached out to each of us to apologize and express his deep remorse. We understand that he is currently engaged in in-depth discussions with leaders and others in Virginia. The Attorney General must continue those conversations, and stand ready to answer questions from the public if he is to regain their trust.

“We are deeply disturbed by the account detailing the alleged actions of Lieutenant Governor Fairfax. We believe these allegations need to be taken very seriously, and we respect the right of women to come forward and be heard.

“We will continue in dialogue with one another and our constituents in the coming days, and evaluate additional information as it comes to light.”

Before You Leave, Check This Out