Politics

Virginia AG Steps Down From Democratic AG Association Position After Blackface Admission: Report

Virginia AG Mark Herring and Gov. Ralph Northam, both Democrats, admitted to having worn blackface. PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images and Alex Edelman/Getty Images

PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images and Alex Edelman/Getty Images

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Evie Fordham Politics and Health Care Reporter
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Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring reportedly stepped down from his position as co-chair of the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) after admitting Wednesday he wore blackface during his college days.

“Virginia AG Herring offered to step aside as co-chair and the committee accepted,” a DAGA spokeswoman said, according to ABCPolitics reporter Johnny Verhovek Wednesday.

Herring admitted Wednesday morning to wearing blackface at a college party in 1980 just days after many called on Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to resign because of his controversy.

“In 1980, when I was a 19-year-old undergraduate in college, some friends suggested we attend a party dressed like rappers we listened to at the time, like Kurt’s Blood, and perform a song. It sounds ridiculous even now writing it,” Herring’s statement reads. “But because of our ignorance and glib attitudes — and because we did not have an appreciation for the experiences and perspectives of others — we dressed up and put on wigs and brown makeup.” (RELATED: Half Of Virginia Democrats Still Approve Of Northam)

New York Times national political correspondent Jonathan Martin also reported Herring was stepping down from his co-chair position at DAGA Wednesday. The Daily Caller News Foundation was not immediately able to reach spokespersons for Herring’s office or DAGA.
Virginia State Attorney General Mark Herring (C) participates in the annual Haymarket Day parade October 20, 2018 in Haymarket, Virginia. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Virginia State Attorney General Mark Herring (C) participates in the annual Haymarket Day parade October 20, 2018 in Haymarket, Virginia.  (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Herring had just started his first term as co-chair at the beginning of 2019, according to a DAGA press release. Virginia’s executive branch is in turmoil after Northam caught heat for a photo on his yearbook page of one man in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan hood. He apologized, then said he questioned whether it was really him in the photo. However, Northam also said he had worn blackface on a separate instance when impersonating singer Michael Jackson.
In addition, Northam’s lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, has been accused of sexual assault, and his accuser released a statement Wednesday. If neither Northam nor Fairfax can serve as governor, Herring is next in line, reported the Washington Examiner Monday.

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