what to do. I assume he did not win with a margin over 20%. I did not follow that election.

Who will replace him? The Lt. Governor, who is a Democrat and a black man.

It's not up to white DUers who are not Virginia voters, like me. Truly it is not. Northam should ask black voters in his own state, and then follow their advice at once. I think we all know what that advice will be.

Almost certainly would not have won without the strong support from black voters.

I can't see that he has any real options other than resignation. Too bad for him, I suppose, but there it is. He would not be Governor without the black voters. I doubt they're pleased with what has been revealed.

Northam should do what's right on this and step down. His Democratic Lt. Governor will do a fine job, I'm sure.

I would be surprised if he doesn't.

Gillespie's campaign may have had the photo during the campaign, but worried it would make them lose white votes to Northam.

Remember, Stewart got more votes in his Senate run than Gillespie did for governor.

Stewart literally gave us a head count on the old school racists still here.

Gillespie's campaign was a disaster.

Popular Black Opinion?

While certainly not a bad idea in terms of 'fairness', it may be impractical, frankly.

Also, though, one might reasonably question why a 35 y.o. yearbook photo elevates a particular subset of the population to be final arbiters of whether a governor resigns? He was presumably elected by people of all races ...

But it looks like enough people of color in the Dem party nationally are rising up and calling for his resignation ... that he's going to go ahead and do so ...

given its opinion, which is that Northam should resign. As representative of the voters in their districts, they have a good understanding of the opinion of their constituents, no doubt.

He would not have won without the votes of black Virginians. They voted 87% for him (and his black Lt. Governor candidate), and make up 20% of the electorate. Northam won by only 9%. You do the math.

When he resigns, VA will still have a Democratic Governor. A black Democratic Governor. I'm not seeing the downside here.

This is so damning that black voters and white voters may have not voted. Gillespie ran one of the worst campaigns of all time. He was invisible for long periods of time and would just pop up at events with no press coverage.

Something that's not being discussed is VMI. Northam was a young adult at EVMS (god knows I wouldn't want much of my 20's out in the air) but his early time away from home was at VMI. About as far from understanding Kumbaya and bongos as you can get. It's a brutal system of patriarchal punishment BUT if you get through it you will never want for a job - incredible network of alums. I'm getting off subject but the bottom line is that early years at college can be formative.

I have no doubt that Ralph has changed a lot. He spoke at a pride event just last year - that. gov of Virginia would do that let alone an old school guy like him was a big surprise to me. From everyone I know spwhos met him the "old country doctor" thing is authentic. Sadly it looks like we are getting a new picture for the wall at work but it will be funny to see Fairfax's face. Talk about a culture shock for Virginia from just 10 years ago.

I think he should do it sooner, rather than later, really. This weekend, perhaps.

How does he handle it?

My take - he says soemthing to the effect of "If I go away this is just a story that is prohibitive but doesn't really change anything. Let's talk about race and racism. I changed. I learned (add in some Christian stuff here) and we all can learn. We have incidents like this and nothing comes of it. So since I only have one term let's use the next 3 years to be the beginning of having the conversation. My place is set. I will never live this down but I'm willing to take the slings and arrows if that helps us really look at each other and ourselves"

That I think would be the best way he could handle this and frankly we really need to have that conversation.

This is a matter for Virginians to decide, not me. I have an opinion about what he should do, for whatever it's worth.

It appears to me that they have decided already.

What if he doesn't resign? I have no idea. He could be impeached, I suppose, but I don't know the laws of Virginia regarding that.

Virginia's Governor; Virginia's decision.

He's my boss too.

Not sure about impeachment but there are parts where the General Assembly can determine that a Governor is unable to fulfill. The GA is in session (short session) for about another 2 weeks.

If you want to read it it's here

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/constitutionexpand/article5/

for heinously racist displays for a fairly big cross-section of DUers.

Sorry had to throw that in here.

It's all about the shadows.

All Democratic voters be upset.