Ralph Northam got elected Lt Governor in 2013 and Governor in 2017( President Obama's 2nd term).

President Obama,US Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and the Virginia Democratic Party establishment and grassroots could have endorsed and campaign for Aneesh Chopra in the Democratic Primary for Lt Governor. They could have helped Chopra win the Democratic Nomination for Lt Governor and the November General Election. Chopra would have been the first Indian American Governor of Virginia and the third Indian American Governor in the nation, after Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Nikki Haley of South Carolina.
The Virginia and National Democratic Party needs to play dirty and drag Northam out of office by physical force, They can offer Northam $$$$$$ to resign from the VA Governor's Office. WV US Senator Joe Manchin who was a former Governor of West Virginia could tell Northam to run for Governor of West Virginia in 2020, West Virginia has tolerance for people like Northam. Northam could get elected and re-elected Governor of West Virginia. Justin Fairfax would become Governor of Virginia for 7 years.