Scandals in Virginia: Call for the resignation of the three highest posts in the state

The scandal in Virginia, started last week by an old photo of the governor, Ralph Northam, multiplied before the new revelations about the lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax and the attorney general of that state, Mark Herringaccused of badual abuse and racism, respectively.

Northam, of the Democratic Party, apologized on February 1 for the image in which appears a man disguised as African-American and another disguised as Ku Klux Klan.

"I'm really sorry for the decision I made appearing on this picture and for the damage caused by this decision then and now," Northam said in a statement released today. after the publication of the photo by a conservative site, This has caused a political earthquake all over the country, but especially in Virginia, which still has the wounds of a racist past.

A few days later, he badured that it was not one of the two topics described. A Democrat close to Northam spoke with the publication The hill under condition of anonymity and indicated that the official "will not resign".

But also Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax, who would replace Northam in case he decided to leave his post, faced on his part accusations of badual badault alleged.

Vanessa Tysonand former colleague of Stanford University, said in a statement released Wednesday by her lawyers that she was badaulted by Fairfax at the Democratic National Convention 2004 in Boston.

Tyson said in the statement that he had kissed Fairfax, but that the situation "quickly became a badual badault". In addition, he said: "I do not have political motivation, I am proudly Democrat."

The The Lieutenant Governor noted that the meeting had been agreed and that he had cordially communicated later with Tyson after the Democratic convention. "At no time did she express any discomfort or concern for our interactions, either during this meeting or the following months," Fairfax said.

The National Women's Organization (NOW) has called for the immediate release of Fairfax: "His story is chilling, compelling and we believe it."

Nail possible resignation of Northam and Fairfax aligns to occupy the government at Mark Herring, which convened Wednesday an emergency meeting with the African-American caucus of the Virginia legislature for reveal that he also wore a controversial disguise on his college days.

"In 1980, when I was 19 years old and I was studying at the university, friends suggested we attend a party. dressed as rappers that we listened to at that time, "said the official in a statement.

As stated, due to "ignorance" and "simplistic attitudes", They put "wigs and brown makeup".

Although he stated that this had only happened "once", Herring said that he accepted "any responsibility" for his conduct.

If the departure of the three leaders comes to an end, which is currently unlikely, the Republican Conservative Kirk Cox, Speaker of the House of Representatives, is the next.

(With information from EFE and AP)