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But now that a second woman, Meredith Watson, has accused Virginia's lieutenant-governor of rape, the eminent Virginia and the national democrats have not stopped and urged the African-American politician to 39-year-old American to resign. [19659002] He lost an important support block on Friday night when Democratic members of the Virginia House of Representatives and the state Senate issued a joint statement urging him to step down.
"Because of the seriousness of these allegations, we believe that Lieutenant Governor Fairfax can no longer fulfill his obligations to the Commonwealth," the statement said. "He has to answer this question as a private citizen, and now is the time for him to withdraw."
And in another important moment, about an hour later, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus wrote that its members "believe it's best for Governor Fairfax to resign from his post."
"We think that anyone who is accused of such a serious and harmful act should benefit from the due process prescribed by the Constitution, but we do not see it in the best interests of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the Lieutenant Governor to remain in his duties, "added the group.
On Friday night, Virginia's two powerful US Democrat Senators – Tim Kaine and Mark Warner – called on Fairfax to resign separately.
"The charges against Justin Fairfax are serious and credible," McAuliffe said in a statement. "It is clear to me that he can no longer effectively serve the people of Virginia as Lieutenant Governor, and I ask for his immediate resignation."
Virginia Democrat Representatives, Don Beyer, Abigail Spanberger, Elaine Luria, Jennifer Wexton, and Gerry Connolly , echoed this statement quickly. All of them have been slow in calling for Fairfax's resignation.
"The last seven days have been some of the most painful we can remember, and it has been very difficult to gather thoughts, let alone words, to respond," said the five lawmakers. we believe that Justin Fairfax can not continue to serve as lieutenant governor of Virginia and should withdraw. "
Fairfax denied the accusations of both women.
After Virginia Capitol lawmakers ducked journalists during Days Asked about Tyson's allegations, at least one state delegate – Patrick Hope of Arlington – told CNN Friday that he had begun the process of writing impeachment articles. against Fairfax and that he was ready to present them on Monday if the lieutenant-governor did not resign.
Hope thought Fairfax should and should resign before that date but, if he did not do so he had asked the legislative services to start drafting the indictment articles to be introduced on Monday morning.
"I believe these women, and I think it's time for the lieutenant governor to resign," he said.
In order for the article on impeachment to be heard, it will have to be approved by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kirk Cox. The President's Office has not yet responded to a request for comment on Hope's projects.
Watson, in a statement from his Smith and Mullen law firm, asserted that Fairfax's assault on him was "premeditated and aggressive" when they were present. Duke in 2000 and the fact that the two men were friends but were not involved romantically.
"Ms. Watson recounted her rape story with friends in a series of e-mails and Facebook messages that are now in our possession, and we have statements from former classmates corroborating the fact that Ms. Watson immediately told friends that Mr. Fairfax had raped her, "reads the statement.
Fairfax quickly denied the allegation and requested the opening of an investigation.
"I deny this last unsubstantiated allegation, which is patently false, I have never imposed myself on anyone," he wrote in a statement. "I ask for a full investigation of these baseless and false allegations, such an investigation will confirm my claims because I tell the truth, I will erase my name and have nothing to hide."
Tyson, a professor in California, issued a lengthy statement earlier this week detailing his alleged encounter with Fairfax at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston.
"What started as a consensual kiss quickly turned into sexual assault.Mr Fairfax put his hand behind my J & # 39; s then realized that he had undone his belt, cleared his panties and took out his penis and then forced his penis into my mouth, "said Tyson in a statement. [19659002] Fairfax also vehemently denied this allegation.
National Democrats also refrained from asking Fairfax to withdraw after Tyson's charges. But, like their counterparts in Virginia, they have now called to step down.
Sen. Cory Booker, from New Jersey, called Tyson's allegations "deeply troubling" and said that they "should be the subject of a thorough investigation". But he did not ask Fairfax to resign.
However, after Watson stepped forward, Booker reinforced his call.
"The many detailed allegations made against Virginia's lieutenant governor are deeply troubling," he tweeted. . "They are serious, credible and corroborated by others, it is no longer appropriate for him to serve, he should resign."
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, after seeking an investigation into Tyson's allegations, said that Watson's charge was "disgusting and horrible" and should end Fairfax's tenure as lieutenant governor.
"I believe that Meredith Watson and Dr. Tyson were extremely courageous for them to move forward," she said. "Mr. Fairfax should resign and no longer serve the Commonwealth of Virginia."
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, echoed calls from her colleagues.
"These credible and troubling claims of Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson clearly indicate that Lieutenant Gov Fairfax should resign their families," Warren said on Twitter.
The former Colorado governor, John Hickenlooper, presidential candidate for 2020, also joined the call for Fairfax's resignation.
"The Governor believes that Lieutenant Governor Fairfax should resign, the charges are deeply troubling," said spokeswoman Lauren Hitt.
Democrat presidential candidate Julian Castro said Fairfax should resign, and reaffirmed that Governor Ralph Northam should also leave.
He tweeted, "Last Friday I called Governor Northam to resign immediately Two days ago, I stated that I believed in the complaint about Lieutenant Governor Fairfax." I ask them both to step down and allow the great state of Virginia to heal and move on. "
California Senator Kamala Harris has joined the call for Fairfax's resignation. The Democratic presidential candidate said on Twitter: "The allegations of Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson corroborate painful stories of sexual assault and rape." It is clear that Virginia's lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, should resign from office. "
Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent and likely Democratic presidential candidate, also urged Fairfax to step down. He tweeted, "I agree with the Virginia House and Senate House Democrats' Joint Statement," "Two very serious and credible allegations have been made by two women against Lieutenant Governor Fairfax, and he must resign."
The allegations that are circulating around Fairfax are just one part of three scandals that engulfed the Virginia Democrats last week
Northam apologized last week for its release in a photo of the company. racist directory that showed a person in blackface and another dressed in a dress and a hood. Northam then used a strange press conference on Saturday to confirm that he was in the photo, but to admit that he had appeared black-faced at another time.
The controversy then met with Attorney General Mark Herring, this week, when the biggest Democrat admitted that he had appeared at the Blackface at a political party in 1980, where he and D & # 39; other friends disguised themselves as rappers.
The three politicians have avoided resigning until now, despite scandals that plunged Richmond and Virginia politics into chaos.
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