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| Second Virginia Democrat Says He Wore Blackface, Throwing Party Into Turmoil | Second Virginia Democrat Says He Wore Blackface, Throwing Party Into Turmoil |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| RICHMOND, Va. — The third-ranking elected official in Virginia, Attorney General Mark R. Herring, acknowledged Wednesday that he had worn blackface at a party as an undergraduate student, deepening a crisis that has engulfed the state’s Democratic leadership. | RICHMOND, Va. — The third-ranking elected official in Virginia, Attorney General Mark R. Herring, acknowledged Wednesday that he had worn blackface at a party as an undergraduate student, deepening a crisis that has engulfed the state’s Democratic leadership. |
| Then, just two hours later, a woman came forward to describe in detail her accusation that Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax had sexually assaulted her in 2004, an accusation he denies. | Then, just two hours later, a woman came forward to describe in detail her accusation that Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax had sexually assaulted her in 2004, an accusation he denies. |
| [Read more about the accusations against Mr. Fairfax here.] | [Read more about the accusations against Mr. Fairfax here.] |
| The back-to-back revelations threw the Capitol here into a state of uncertainty about who would lead Virginia, coming less than one week after the disclosure of a racist photograph on the yearbook page of Gov. Ralph Northam led to demands for his resignation. Grim-faced legislators rushed through the hallways, shaken by a series of allegations and confessions that threatened to cripple the Virginia government’s three leading officials. | The back-to-back revelations threw the Capitol here into a state of uncertainty about who would lead Virginia, coming less than one week after the disclosure of a racist photograph on the yearbook page of Gov. Ralph Northam led to demands for his resignation. Grim-faced legislators rushed through the hallways, shaken by a series of allegations and confessions that threatened to cripple the Virginia government’s three leading officials. |
| Amid the tumult, Democrats in the Capitol were all but paralyzed in the face of a deeply painful sequence of events that could undermine their hopes of reclaiming the State Legislature, the Republicans’ last remaining foothold of power in Virginia, in the fall. The party has not lost a statewide election here since 2009, and Virginia was the only Southern state President Trump lost in 2016. | Amid the tumult, Democrats in the Capitol were all but paralyzed in the face of a deeply painful sequence of events that could undermine their hopes of reclaiming the State Legislature, the Republicans’ last remaining foothold of power in Virginia, in the fall. The party has not lost a statewide election here since 2009, and Virginia was the only Southern state President Trump lost in 2016. |
| National Democrats, who were quick to call for Mr. Northam’s resignation last weekend and have generally adopted a zero-tolerance approach to transgressions on race and gender, were mostly silent after Mr. Herring’s disclosure and the extraordinary first-person account from Mr. Fairfax’s accuser. | National Democrats, who were quick to call for Mr. Northam’s resignation last weekend and have generally adopted a zero-tolerance approach to transgressions on race and gender, were mostly silent after Mr. Herring’s disclosure and the extraordinary first-person account from Mr. Fairfax’s accuser. |
| Mr. Northam, isolated for days and abandoned by the Democratic Party, did not make an appearance or comment on Wednesday’s developments. Mr. Fairfax, whose ascent to the governor’s office had been widely expected as recently as Saturday, rebutted the assault accusation in a muted tone that reflected his political peril. | Mr. Northam, isolated for days and abandoned by the Democratic Party, did not make an appearance or comment on Wednesday’s developments. Mr. Fairfax, whose ascent to the governor’s office had been widely expected as recently as Saturday, rebutted the assault accusation in a muted tone that reflected his political peril. |
| Although Mr. Northam has so far withstood calls for his resignation, the turmoil here has prompted scholars and strategists to scour the Virginia Constitution’s provisions on succession to the governor. Mr. Fairfax is next in line, followed by Mr. Herring. If all three men — Mr. Northam, Mr. Fairfax and Mr. Herring — were to resign without immediate replacements, Kirk Cox, the Republican House speaker, would become governor. | |
| Mr. Herring, who had been preparing his own 2021 campaign for governor, perhaps against Mr. Fairfax, faced a personal reckoning four days after he called for the governor’s ouster — even as he harbored his own secret involving blackface. | |
| “That I have contributed to the pain Virginians have felt this week is the greatest shame I have ever felt,” Mr. Herring said in a statement, while acknowledging that his ability to remain as attorney general was in doubt. | “That I have contributed to the pain Virginians have felt this week is the greatest shame I have ever felt,” Mr. Herring said in a statement, while acknowledging that his ability to remain as attorney general was in doubt. |
| With Virginia’s top three statewide officials facing mortal political threats in the midst of the legislative session and an election year, some senior legislators suggested it was time to stop demanding resignations. | With Virginia’s top three statewide officials facing mortal political threats in the midst of the legislative session and an election year, some senior legislators suggested it was time to stop demanding resignations. |
| “I feel like I’m living in an episode of a Nathaniel Hawthorne novel where people are rushing to judgment, and it feels like if I don’t proclaim judgment right away, it somehow reflects on me,” said State Senator J. Chapman Petersen, a Northern Virginia Democrat. “I think we need to slow down.” | “I feel like I’m living in an episode of a Nathaniel Hawthorne novel where people are rushing to judgment, and it feels like if I don’t proclaim judgment right away, it somehow reflects on me,” said State Senator J. Chapman Petersen, a Northern Virginia Democrat. “I think we need to slow down.” |
| Referring to the three officials, Mr. Petersen added, “I want them all to stay put until we learn more.” | Referring to the three officials, Mr. Petersen added, “I want them all to stay put until we learn more.” |
| Asked who was in charge of the state, State Senator Adam P. Ebbin, a Democrat, replied, “The governor of Virginia — for now.” | Asked who was in charge of the state, State Senator Adam P. Ebbin, a Democrat, replied, “The governor of Virginia — for now.” |
| [Make sense of the people, issues and ideas shaping American politics with our newsletter.] | [Make sense of the people, issues and ideas shaping American politics with our newsletter.] |
| Although speculation about Mr. Herring’s history with blackface had coursed through the Capitol this week, it was not until Wednesday morning that he met with the Legislative Black Caucus to inform them. He then issued a statement that described how, as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia in 1980, he had dressed as the rapper Kurtis Blow. | Although speculation about Mr. Herring’s history with blackface had coursed through the Capitol this week, it was not until Wednesday morning that he met with the Legislative Black Caucus to inform them. He then issued a statement that described how, as an undergraduate at the University of Virginia in 1980, he had dressed as the rapper Kurtis Blow. |
| By Mr. Herring’s account, he and friends “dressed up and put on wigs and brown makeup” for a party, and that it was a one-time occurrence. The attorney general, who was elected in 2013 after serving in the General Assembly and in local government in Northern Virginia, said that “the shame of that moment has haunted me for decades.” | By Mr. Herring’s account, he and friends “dressed up and put on wigs and brown makeup” for a party, and that it was a one-time occurrence. The attorney general, who was elected in 2013 after serving in the General Assembly and in local government in Northern Virginia, said that “the shame of that moment has haunted me for decades.” |
| Black legislators in the Capitol generally saw Mr. Herring as an ally on crucial issues. Their Wednesday morning meeting with black lawmakers was “emotional” for everyone present, including the attorney general, said State Senator Louise Lucas, a Democrat who attended the gathering. She said that the attorney general wiped tears from his cheek and that legislators also cried. | Black legislators in the Capitol generally saw Mr. Herring as an ally on crucial issues. Their Wednesday morning meeting with black lawmakers was “emotional” for everyone present, including the attorney general, said State Senator Louise Lucas, a Democrat who attended the gathering. She said that the attorney general wiped tears from his cheek and that legislators also cried. |
| Although Mr. Herring, who attributed his decision to imitate a black person to “ignorance and glib attitudes,” resigned as the co-chairman of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, he left open the question of whether he would stay in his state office. | Although Mr. Herring, who attributed his decision to imitate a black person to “ignorance and glib attitudes,” resigned as the co-chairman of the Democratic Attorneys General Association, he left open the question of whether he would stay in his state office. |
| Mr. Herring’s admission came on the same day that Mr. Fairfax, the second African-American elected to statewide office in Virginia, confronted an altogether different allegation that, after shadowing him throughout the week, was openly detailed for the first time by his accuser, Vanessa C. Tyson. | Mr. Herring’s admission came on the same day that Mr. Fairfax, the second African-American elected to statewide office in Virginia, confronted an altogether different allegation that, after shadowing him throughout the week, was openly detailed for the first time by his accuser, Vanessa C. Tyson. |
| In a statement issued through her lawyers, Dr. Tyson, a college professor from California, said she met Mr. Fairfax at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. According to Dr. Tyson, she accompanied Mr. Fairfax when he went to retrieve documents from his hotel room, and he then kissed her. Dr. Tyson said she kissed him back, but said she had “no intention of taking my clothes off or engaging in sexual activity.” | In a statement issued through her lawyers, Dr. Tyson, a college professor from California, said she met Mr. Fairfax at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. According to Dr. Tyson, she accompanied Mr. Fairfax when he went to retrieve documents from his hotel room, and he then kissed her. Dr. Tyson said she kissed him back, but said she had “no intention of taking my clothes off or engaging in sexual activity.” |
| Dr. Tyson wrote that Mr. Fairfax “forcefully pushed my head towards his crotch” and forced her to perform oral sex. “I never gave any form of consent,” she said. | Dr. Tyson wrote that Mr. Fairfax “forcefully pushed my head towards his crotch” and forced her to perform oral sex. “I never gave any form of consent,” she said. |
| Mr. Fairfax, in a statement released shortly before Dr. Tyson detailed her version of events, described their interaction as “a consensual encounter” and asserted that she did not “express to me any discomfort or concern.” Later in the day, in a more spare and conciliatory statement, he said: “I take this situation very seriously and continue to believe Dr. Tyson should be treated with respect. But I cannot agree to a description of events that simply is not true.” | Mr. Fairfax, in a statement released shortly before Dr. Tyson detailed her version of events, described their interaction as “a consensual encounter” and asserted that she did not “express to me any discomfort or concern.” Later in the day, in a more spare and conciliatory statement, he said: “I take this situation very seriously and continue to believe Dr. Tyson should be treated with respect. But I cannot agree to a description of events that simply is not true.” |
| Dr. Tyson spoke to The Washington Post about her allegation before Mr. Fairfax was sworn in as lieutenant governor last year, but the newspaper did not publish her account because it could not be corroborated. | Dr. Tyson spoke to The Washington Post about her allegation before Mr. Fairfax was sworn in as lieutenant governor last year, but the newspaper did not publish her account because it could not be corroborated. |
| At the time of the initial inquiry by The Post, Mr. Fairfax retained the Washington law firm that would go on to represent Brett M. Kavanaugh when he faced charges of sexual misconduct during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Mr. Fairfax, whose aides insisted he would not resign, re-engaged the firm on Sunday. | At the time of the initial inquiry by The Post, Mr. Fairfax retained the Washington law firm that would go on to represent Brett M. Kavanaugh when he faced charges of sexual misconduct during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Mr. Fairfax, whose aides insisted he would not resign, re-engaged the firm on Sunday. |
| This week, as he faced intensifying questions about his past conduct, Mr. Fairfax veered from varying responses; he suggested that allies of Mr. Northam and then Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, a political rival, were behind the abrupt airing of the allegation in hopes of blocking his path to the governor’s office. | This week, as he faced intensifying questions about his past conduct, Mr. Fairfax veered from varying responses; he suggested that allies of Mr. Northam and then Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond, a political rival, were behind the abrupt airing of the allegation in hopes of blocking his path to the governor’s office. |
| The issue, though, is one of immense delicacy for Democrats. Since last fall’s hearings for Justice Kavanaugh, they have often said that women who come forward to reveal sexual harassment or assault should be believed. | The issue, though, is one of immense delicacy for Democrats. Since last fall’s hearings for Justice Kavanaugh, they have often said that women who come forward to reveal sexual harassment or assault should be believed. |
| Some Virginia Democrats, after hearing of Dr. Tyson’s account, declined to say if they believed the lieutenant governor should resign. | Some Virginia Democrats, after hearing of Dr. Tyson’s account, declined to say if they believed the lieutenant governor should resign. |
| “Everybody is entitled to have their voices heard,” Senator Barbara Favola, an Arlington Democrat, said when asked about the allegations. | “Everybody is entitled to have their voices heard,” Senator Barbara Favola, an Arlington Democrat, said when asked about the allegations. |
| Wednesday’s sequences of events plainly roiled the state government, which had been on edge in the wake of Mr. Northam’s seeming political implosion. The governor has not been seen in public since Sunday, a day after he revealed at a nationally televised news conference that he had once put shoe polish on his cheeks to dress as Michael Jackson at a dance party in 1984. At the same time, he retracted his earlier admission that he was one of the people in a photograph on his yearbook page that showed one person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robes. | Wednesday’s sequences of events plainly roiled the state government, which had been on edge in the wake of Mr. Northam’s seeming political implosion. The governor has not been seen in public since Sunday, a day after he revealed at a nationally televised news conference that he had once put shoe polish on his cheeks to dress as Michael Jackson at a dance party in 1984. At the same time, he retracted his earlier admission that he was one of the people in a photograph on his yearbook page that showed one person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robes. |
| Mr. Fairfax was preparing for the possibility of succeeding Mr. Northam, as nearly every major state and national Democrat demanded the governor’s resignation. | Mr. Fairfax was preparing for the possibility of succeeding Mr. Northam, as nearly every major state and national Democrat demanded the governor’s resignation. |
| At the same time, the stately, neo-Classical Capitol has been transformed into a hub of political intrigue and suspicion. National television crews have been set up in front of the Executive Mansion since Saturday, and the State Police have offered Mr. Fairfax a level of protection that resembles that of a sitting governor. | At the same time, the stately, neo-Classical Capitol has been transformed into a hub of political intrigue and suspicion. National television crews have been set up in front of the Executive Mansion since Saturday, and the State Police have offered Mr. Fairfax a level of protection that resembles that of a sitting governor. |
| On Wednesday, legislators expressed open bewilderment as they shared the Capitol’s corridors with dozens of Catholic priests who were lobbying lawmakers against abortion and button-wearing women who visited in support of the Equal Rights Amendment. | On Wednesday, legislators expressed open bewilderment as they shared the Capitol’s corridors with dozens of Catholic priests who were lobbying lawmakers against abortion and button-wearing women who visited in support of the Equal Rights Amendment. |
| Black legislators walked into the statehouse Wednesday with downcast looks on their faces after Mr. Herring disclosed his past behavior to them. The group convened again later Wednesday, and Democratic members of the General Assembly suggested that they would take their cues from their African-American colleagues. | Black legislators walked into the statehouse Wednesday with downcast looks on their faces after Mr. Herring disclosed his past behavior to them. The group convened again later Wednesday, and Democratic members of the General Assembly suggested that they would take their cues from their African-American colleagues. |
| “The black caucus is not shy,” Delegate Lamont Bagby, the chairman of the black caucus, said on Wednesday afternoon. “We’ll speak.” | “The black caucus is not shy,” Delegate Lamont Bagby, the chairman of the black caucus, said on Wednesday afternoon. “We’ll speak.” |
| The State Senate’s top two leaders, who are both white, avoided questions about the turmoil that subsumed a crucial week for lawmakers. | The State Senate’s top two leaders, who are both white, avoided questions about the turmoil that subsumed a crucial week for lawmakers. |
| “Nice to see you,” Senator Thomas K. Norment Jr., a Republican who is the Senate majority leader, told a reporter as he headed toward a meeting room less than an hour after Mr. Herring’s statement. | “Nice to see you,” Senator Thomas K. Norment Jr., a Republican who is the Senate majority leader, told a reporter as he headed toward a meeting room less than an hour after Mr. Herring’s statement. |
| “It’s a lovely day today,” said Senator Richard L. Saslaw, the Democratic leader of the State Senate. | “It’s a lovely day today,” said Senator Richard L. Saslaw, the Democratic leader of the State Senate. |
| Both men ducked into a room. | Both men ducked into a room. |
| Other legislators similarly deflected questions. One, State Senator Richard H. Stuart, a Republican who is close to Mr. Northam, professed to be focusing on the state budget. | Other legislators similarly deflected questions. One, State Senator Richard H. Stuart, a Republican who is close to Mr. Northam, professed to be focusing on the state budget. |
| By day’s end, the question of Mr. Herring’s fate was arguably the most open-ended. In his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Herring said imminent “honest conversations and discussions will make it clear whether I can or should continue to serve as attorney general.” | By day’s end, the question of Mr. Herring’s fate was arguably the most open-ended. In his statement on Wednesday, Mr. Herring said imminent “honest conversations and discussions will make it clear whether I can or should continue to serve as attorney general.” |
| Mr. Northam has indicated that he intends to remain governor until his term ends in 2022, telling aides that he wants to clear his name, and Mr. Fairfax said Wednesday that he anticipated “continuing my work to unify the commonwealth.” | Mr. Northam has indicated that he intends to remain governor until his term ends in 2022, telling aides that he wants to clear his name, and Mr. Fairfax said Wednesday that he anticipated “continuing my work to unify the commonwealth.” |
| But it seemed no one could speak with much confidence about what lies ahead. | But it seemed no one could speak with much confidence about what lies ahead. |
| Asked about the state of the government, Delegate Mark L. Keam, a Democrat from Fairfax County, replied with one word: “Uncertain.” | Asked about the state of the government, Delegate Mark L. Keam, a Democrat from Fairfax County, replied with one word: “Uncertain.” |