<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governor-ralph-northam-now-denies-appearance-in-racist-photo-refuses-to-resign-194668">Virginia's embattled governor</a>, Ralph Northam, capped a week of political chaos ignited by racial scandals by vowing to stay in office on Friday, while the fellow Democrat in line to succeed him faced a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governors-future-in-limbo-amid-outcry-over-racist-photo-195375">second accusation of sexual assault</a>.

Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax issued a statement denying both allegations as a "coordinated smear campaign." He said the latest accusation, that he had raped a fellow student at Duke University in 2000, was "demonstrably false" and declared he would not step down.

Fairfax, 39, insisted earlier this week that his encounter with a woman who has accused him of forcing himself on her sexually at a hotel in Boston 14 years ago was entirely consensual.

But Friday's accusation sparked a round of calls for the resignation - and even a threat of impeachment - of the once-promising young politician who seemed poised days ago to replace Northam and become the second African-American governor in Virginia history.

The second in line to succeed Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, 57, came under fire with his own admission this week that he, like Northam, had once darkened his face to imitate a black performer - a practice widely considered to be racist.

The possibility of all three top-ranked leaders of Virginia's executive branch having to resign raised the prospect of Democrats losing the governorship to the Republican speaker of the state House of Delegates, who is next in the line of succession. And that possibility has tested Democrats' resolve to show zero tolerance for sexual misconduct and racial bigotry.

It also has stirred Democrats' concerns that political discord in Virginia, a key swing state in presidential elections, could flip it back into the Republican column in the 2020 White House race.

The upheaval began with the revelation last Friday that Northam's 1984 medical school yearbook page contained a racist photo, followed by his acknowledgement of, and apology for, masquerading in blackface that year as pop star Michael Jackson.

After a week hunkered down in virtual seclusion under mounting pressure to resign, Northam indicated in an email message on Friday to state employees that he planned to keep his post.

"You have placed your trust in me to lead Virginia forward - and I plan to do that," Northam said.

ESCALATING PRESSURE

In a separate statement responding to the latest allegation against him, Fairfax said he has "never forced myself on anyone ever" and demanded a "full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations."

"I will clear my good name and I have nothing to hide," Fairfax wrote, and declared: "I will not resign."

But the latest allegation of rape brought a torrent of demands for Fairfax to quit, including from all of the state House and Senate Democrats, the Legislative Black Caucus, former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia's two US&nbsp;senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats.

One state House member, Democrat Patrick Hope, said on Twitter that he planned to introduce articles of impeachment for Fairfax on Monday unless he resigned.

The woman who made the new accusation, identified as Meredith Watson, said she was "reluctantly coming forward out of a strong sense of civic duty and her belief that those seeking or serving in public office should be of the highest character," the law firm that is representing her said in a statement.

The firm, New Jersey-based Smith Mullin, said the alleged assault occurred in 2000. Watson is "not seeking any financial damages," and her attorneys had notified Fairfax through his lawyers "that Ms Watson hopes he will resign from public office," the firm said in its statement.

The Smith Mullin statement said the alleged attack on Watson "was premeditated and aggressive," while also saying Fairfax and Watson "were friends but never dated or had any romantic relationship."

The law firm said it possessed emails, Facebook messages and statements to corroborate that Watson had shared her account of events immediately after the alleged rape.

Fairfax's first accuser, Stanford University academic Vanessa Tyson, has alleged that Fairfax had forced her to perform oral sex in a hotel room during the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

She came forward days after the disclosure by a conservative website of a racist photo on Northam's 1984 yearbook page of one person with blackface and another dressed in white robes of the Ku Klux Klan. Northam had originally admitted he was one of the people in that photo but later said that he was not.

Seeking to mend fences with Virginia's African-American population, Northam on Friday met privately with the president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association, John Boyd Jr., in Richmond, the state capital. Boyd told Reuters the two men prayed together and "we asked for forgiveness."

Boyd, whose group says it represents 109,000 farmers across the country, said on Twitter that he urged the governor not to step down.

Virginia's embattled governor, Ralph Northam, capped a week of political chaos ignited by racial scandals by vowing to stay in office on Friday, while the fellow Democrat in line to succeed him faced a second accusation of sexual assault.

Virginia's embattled governor, Ralph Northam, capped a week of political chaos ignited by racial scandals by vowing to stay in office on Friday, while the fellow Democrat in line to succeed him faced a second accusation of sexual assault. Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax issued a statement denying both allegations as a "coordinated smear campaign." He said the latest accusation, that he had raped a fellow student at Duke University in 2000, was "demonstrably false" and declared he would not step down. Fairfax, 39, insisted earlier this week that his encounter with a woman who has accused him of forcing himself on her sexually at a hotel in Boston 14 years ago was entirely consensual. But Friday's accusation sparked a round of calls for the resignation - and even a threat of impeachment - of the once-promising young politician who seemed poised days ago to replace Northam and become the second African-American governor in Virginia history. The second in line to succeed Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, 57, came under fire with his own admission this week that he, like Northam, had once darkened his face to imitate a black performer - a practice widely considered to be racist. The possibility of all three top-ranked leaders of Virginia's executive branch having to resign raised the prospect of Democrats losing the governorship to the Republican speaker of the state House of Delegates, who is next in the line of succession. And that possibility has tested Democrats' resolve to show zero tolerance for sexual misconduct and racial bigotry. It also has stirred Democrats' concerns that political discord in Virginia, a key swing state in presidential elections, could flip it back into the Republican column in the 2020 White House race. The upheaval began with the revelation last Friday that Northam's 1984 medical school yearbook page contained a racist photo, followed by his acknowledgement of, and apology for, masquerading in blackface that year as pop star Michael Jackson. After a week hunkered down in virtual seclusion under mounting pressure to resign, Northam indicated in an email message on Friday to state employees that he planned to keep his post. "You have placed your trust in me to lead Virginia forward - and I plan to do that," Northam said. ESCALATING PRESSURE In a separate statement responding to the latest allegation against him, Fairfax said he has "never forced myself on anyone ever" and demanded a "full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations." "I will clear my good name and I have nothing to hide," Fairfax wrote, and declared: "I will not resign." But the latest allegation of rape brought a torrent of demands for Fairfax to quit, including from all of the state House and Senate Democrats, the Legislative Black Caucus, former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia's two US senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats. One state House member, Democrat Patrick Hope, said on Twitter that he planned to introduce articles of impeachment for Fairfax on Monday unless he resigned. The woman who made the new accusation, identified as Meredith Watson, said she was "reluctantly coming forward out of a strong sense of civic duty and her belief that those seeking or serving in public office should be of the highest character," the law firm that is representing her said in a statement. The firm, New Jersey-based Smith Mullin, said the alleged assault occurred in 2000. Watson is "not seeking any financial damages," and her attorneys had notified Fairfax through his lawyers "that Ms Watson hopes he will resign from public office," the firm said in its statement. The Smith Mullin statement said the alleged attack on Watson "was premeditated and aggressive," while also saying Fairfax and Watson "were friends but never dated or had any romantic relationship." The law firm said it possessed emails, Facebook messages and statements to corroborate that Watson had shared her account of events immediately after the alleged rape. Fairfax's first accuser, Stanford University academic Vanessa Tyson, has alleged that Fairfax had forced her to perform oral sex in a hotel room during the 2004 Democratic National Convention. She came forward days after the disclosure by a conservative website of a racist photo on Northam's 1984 yearbook page of one person with blackface and another dressed in white robes of the Ku Klux Klan. Northam had originally admitted he was one of the people in that photo but later said that he was not. Seeking to mend fences with Virginia's African-American population, Northam on Friday met privately with the president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association, John Boyd Jr., in Richmond, the state capital. Boyd told Reuters the two men prayed together and "we asked for forgiveness." Boyd, whose group says it represents 109,000 farmers across the country, said on Twitter that he urged the governor not to step down.

Virginia governor denies sexual assault allegations as 'coordinated smear campaign'

Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governor-deeply-sorry-for-racist-yearbook-photo-194500">changed his story Saturday </a>about appearing in a racist 1984 yearbook photo and insisted he will not resign from office.

Northam held a press conference to say that he, in fact, was not one of the men in a photo from his university yearbook depicting two people -- one in blackface, the other dressed in a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood.

"In the hours since I made my statement yesterday, I reflected with my family and classmates from the time and affirmed my conclusion that I am not the person in that photo," he told reporters, a day after saying he had appeared in the picture without specifying which of the individuals he was.

Northam added that while he had not appeared in the photo, "many actions that we rightfully recognize as abhorrent today were commonplace" and he was not surprised such material made its way to the yearbook.

He said he did not know why it appeared on his page, adding, "I had nothing to do with the preparation of the yearbook, nor did I buy one.&nbsp;

"And so this was the first time -- yesterday evening was the first time I saw this photo. It was shocking and it was horrific."

The governor, who began his four-year term in 2018, did admit however that he had applied shoe polish on his face on at least one occasion -- &nbsp;to imitate Michael Jackson during a dance contest held that same year, which he went on to win.

"I look back now and regret that I did not understand the harmful legacy of an action like that," he said.

On Friday, a website published a photograph from Northam's medical school yearbook "in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive," the governor said in a statement soon after the picture surfaced.

"I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt, that decision caused then and now," Northam said.

The admission prompted calls for him to resign -- including from several Democratic presidential candidates.

"We made the decision to let Governor Northam do the correct thing and resign this morning," the Virginia branch of the Democratic Party said on Twitter Saturday.

"We have gotten word he will not do so this morning."

Senator Cory Booker, an African-American 2020 presidential hopeful, was one of the first big name Democrats to react.

"These images arouse centuries of anger, anguish, and racist violence and they've eroded all confidence in Gov. Northam's ability to lead. We should expect more from our elected officials. He should resign," he tweeted Friday.

California Senator Kamala Harris, another African-American running for president, tweeted that "the stain of racism should have no place in the halls of government."

Other big-name Democrats such as Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren also called for his departure.

Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, changed his story Saturday about appearing in a racist 1984 yearbook photo and insisted he will not resign from office.

Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, changed his story Saturday about appearing in a racist 1984 yearbook photo and insisted he will not resign from office. Northam held a press conference to say that he, in fact, was not one of the men in a photo from his university yearbook depicting two people -- one in blackface, the other dressed in a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood. "In the hours since I made my statement yesterday, I reflected with my family and classmates from the time and affirmed my conclusion that I am not the person in that photo," he told reporters, a day after saying he had appeared in the picture without specifying which of the individuals he was. Northam added that while he had not appeared in the photo, "many actions that we rightfully recognize as abhorrent today were commonplace" and he was not surprised such material made its way to the yearbook. He said he did not know why it appeared on his page, adding, "I had nothing to do with the preparation of the yearbook, nor did I buy one. "And so this was the first time -- yesterday evening was the first time I saw this photo. It was shocking and it was horrific." The governor, who began his four-year term in 2018, did admit however that he had applied shoe polish on his face on at least one occasion -- to imitate Michael Jackson during a dance contest held that same year, which he went on to win. "I look back now and regret that I did not understand the harmful legacy of an action like that," he said. On Friday, a website published a photograph from Northam's medical school yearbook "in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive," the governor said in a statement soon after the picture surfaced. "I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt, that decision caused then and now," Northam said. The admission prompted calls for him to resign -- including from several Democratic presidential candidates. "We made the decision to let Governor Northam do the correct thing and resign this morning," the Virginia branch of the Democratic Party said on Twitter Saturday. "We have gotten word he will not do so this morning." Senator Cory Booker, an African-American 2020 presidential hopeful, was one of the first big name Democrats to react. "These images arouse centuries of anger, anguish, and racist violence and they've eroded all confidence in Gov. Northam's ability to lead. We should expect more from our elected officials. He should resign," he tweeted Friday. California Senator Kamala Harris, another African-American running for president, tweeted that "the stain of racism should have no place in the halls of government." Other big-name Democrats such as Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren also called for his departure.

Virginia governor Ralph Northam now denies appearance in racist photo, refuses to resign

Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, on Friday confirmed he appeared in a racist yearbook photo and said he is "deeply sorry."

"Earlier today, a website published a photograph of me from my 1984 medical school yearbook in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive," Northam said in a statement.&nbsp;

"I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt, that decision caused then and now," he said.

The photo, which was carried by various US media outlets, depicts two people, one in blackface, the other dressed in a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood.&nbsp;

Northam did not specify which outfit he was wearing in the image, which has prompted calls for him to resign.

The governor has also been under fire over remarks about a bill that would have rolled back restrictions on late-term abortions.

Republicans took particular issue with comments he made when asked if the bill would allow for abortions to be performed when a woman was already in labour.&nbsp;

"If a mother is in labour, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired," he said.

"And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother."

Though his spokeswoman, Northam said his words were taken out of context and were only meant to apply if a woman in dire circumstances went into labour.

The bill failed to advance out of committee, but Republicans including President Donald Trump pounced on the comments.

"Democrats are becoming the Party of late-term abortion, high taxes, Open Borders and Crime!" Trump tweeted.

The US Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide in 1973 with its decision in Roe v. Wade, but the issue remains one of the most politically divisive in the United States.

Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, on Friday confirmed he appeared in a racist yearbook photo and said he is "deeply sorry." "Earlier today, a website published a photograph of me from my 1984 medical school yearbook in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive," Northam said in a statement.

Ralph Northam, the Democratic governor of the US state of Virginia, on Friday confirmed he appeared in a racist yearbook photo and said he is "deeply sorry." "Earlier today, a website published a photograph of me from my 1984 medical school yearbook in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive," Northam said in a statement. "I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt, that decision caused then and now," he said. The photo, which was carried by various US media outlets, depicts two people, one in blackface, the other dressed in a Ku Klux Klan robe and hood. Northam did not specify which outfit he was wearing in the image, which has prompted calls for him to resign. The governor has also been under fire over remarks about a bill that would have rolled back restrictions on late-term abortions. Republicans took particular issue with comments he made when asked if the bill would allow for abortions to be performed when a woman was already in labour. "If a mother is in labour, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that's what the mother and the family desired," he said. "And then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother." Though his spokeswoman, Northam said his words were taken out of context and were only meant to apply if a woman in dire circumstances went into labour. The bill failed to advance out of committee, but Republicans including President Donald Trump pounced on the comments. "Democrats are becoming the Party of late-term abortion, high taxes, Open Borders and Crime!" Trump tweeted. The US Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide in 1973 with its decision in Roe v. Wade, but the issue remains one of the most politically divisive in the United States.

US governor Ralph Northam 'deeply sorry' for racist yearbook photo

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Virginia governor denies sexual assault allegations as 'coordinated smear campaign'

Virginia governor Ralph Northam now denies appearance in racist photo, refuses to resign

US governor Ralph Northam 'deeply sorry' for racist yearbook photo