RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has withdrawn from plans to be a commencement speaker at his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, and won't participate in any other graduation ceremonies amid the persisting scandal over a blackface photo.
News outlets report the Democrat is abstaining from graduations throughout Virginia this season. Northam's spokeswoman Ofirah Yheskel said Monday that he deiced weeks ago to skip ceremonies over concern he would divert focus from graduates.
Northam has resisted calls to resign since February, when a racist photo surfaced from his 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook. He denies being in the photo but admits wearing blackface while portraying Michael Jackson at a dance party.
He also canceled his appearance at a Sunday fundraiser for a state senator.
Fundraisng Dries Up
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - New campaign finance records show Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's fundraising efforts dried up after a scandal involving blackface.
First quarter reports were released Monday. They show Northam, Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Attorney General Mark Herring all struggling to raise money after a series of scandals involving the state's top Democrats erupted in early February.
Northam and Herring both admitted to wearing blackface when they were younger and two women accused Fairfax of sexual assault, which he denies. All three have resisted calls to resign.
The scandals and their effects on fundraising could hurt Democrats during this year's legislative elections. Virginia is the only state in the country where there's a reasonable chance that Democrats could flip control of the state legislature this year.
