Local leaders urge Lt. Gov. Fairfax to resign
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| Members of the media stake out Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax’ home in Annandale Feb. 11. |
We asked members of the Virginia General Assembly who represent the Annandale/Mason area to weigh in on the scandals rocking the state leadership in Richmond, including the accusations that Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax sexually assaulted two women.
Del. Kaye Kory (38th District) said she stands by these statements:
The joint statement by the House and Senate Democratic caucuses said on Feb. 11: “Due to the serious nature of these allegations, we believe Lieutenant Governor Fairfax can no longer fulfill his duties to the Commonwealth. He needs to address this as a private citizen. The time has come for him to step down.”
Virginia Democratic Party Chair Susan Swecker released this statement: “We believe that allegations of sexual assault must be taken with the utmost seriousness. Given the credible nature of the sexual assault claims against Lieutenant Governor Fairfax, it has become clear he can no longer fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the post. While the Lieutenant Governor deserves due process in this matter, it is in the best interest of the commonwealth that he goes through this process as a private citizen. The Lieutenant Governor no longer has our confidence or support. He must resign.”
“I share the shock, sadness and anger many Virginians have felt as last week’s storm of political and ethical turmoil swept through Richmond,” Kory says. “I also share the concerns about the effect this storm will have on our legislative responsibilities.”
“There are only two working weeks in this session until we adjourn on Feb. 23. Constitutionally, we must come to agreement on a budget and on tax conformity, if nothing else,” Kory says. “But I would like to move forward on many other pressing issues as well: the ERA resolution, gun violence, climate change, the opioid epidemic, prison reform, education funding and access equity, student debt and tuition costs, and redistricting.”
“I applaud Dr. Tyson and Ms. Watson for coming forward and am moved by their stories,” Kory continued. “Sexual assault is a heinous act. I join my colleagues in calling for our Lt. Governor to step down. All parties deserve due process and a full investigation which can be more effectively accomplished between private citizens.”
Virginia Sen. Dick Saslaw (35th District) included this statement at the end of an email updating constituents on legislative activities: “Over the past week, the Commonwealth has been made aware of revelations of past actions by the executive branch that are of great concern. Serious allegations of sexual assault have been made about the Lieutenant Governor. Victims must be able to come forward to tell their story and survivors must be heard.”
As of Feb. 11, Fairfax has refused to step down. In an interview with the Washington Post, Fairfax said: “Due process is at the heart of our constitutional democracy in order to get to the truth and be true to what we are as Americans. . . . Everyone deserves to be heard.”
“Even when faced with those allegations, I am still standing up for everyone’s right to be heard. But I’m also standing up for due process,” Fairfax said.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, under pressure to resign since a photo from his medical school yearbook surfaced showing people in blackface and a Klan hood, also vowed to stay in office. After apologizing for the photos, he said the people in that photo weren’t him. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring also apologized for appearing in black face years ago.
Sen. Dave Marsden (37th District) said on Feb. 3: “While I have the greatest appreciation for Governor Northam’s contributions to our Commonwealth and to its citizens, I think it’s appropriate that I reiterate the Senate Democratic Caucus position that he step aside as it will be impossible for him to regain the trust and the ability to work with the wide range of Virginians that must be brought together.”
“The behavior depicted in the photo is abhorrent and repulsive at any age,” says a joint statement from the chairs of the Democratic committees of Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria, and Falls Church that call for Northam to resign.
“There is no place for hate and racism in a multicultural, pluralistic Virginia,” the statement continues. “With the dark and painful history of slavery, racism, and segregation in Virginia and our country, we expect the leader of our Commonwealth to embody the fight for justice, fairness, and equality for all. Governor Northam can no longer do so. We urge Governor Northam to resign. We refuse to place party loyalty above our core principles.”
Sure…just as soon as Trump and Kavanaugh resign their positions.
Due process first then there is a news story. Creepy fnchnl is the chicken little of the news crews. Research first and share what you learn.
Of course,in the case of Lt. Gov. Fairfax the alleged victims should be heard and taken seriously, unlike the Kavanaugh "investigation", and then judgement passed.
It's also heartwarming to know that we have elected officials pure enough to cast the first stone. One cannot but wonder if an incident from their past might some day come to light with the same consequences.
Anon at 2:01… I appreciate your comment and admit to feeling somewhat the same. Frankly I supported Tom Perillo for Governor because he was clear in his thinking and wasn't afraid to voice his opinion unlike Northam who seemed very wishy washy to me. But these same elected officials insisted Northam had been "groomed" for this job, which seemed abhorrent to me on its face so there wasn't much of a choice at election time. He's done a relatively decent job although I'm very unhappy with the decisions he's made on the Union Mill compressor issue which is clearly payback for campaign support. I never really supported him, but am very surprised by the throw him under the bus at the first sign of a problem. I'm not defending him but it makes me sick that those who promoted him are the first to jump ship. His behavior was inexcusable even in 1984, and his response is just what I would have expected. No backbone, no character, and I still wish Tom Perillo had been Governor.
Response to Anon 9:51. Your comments concerning the"grooming" of candidates resonates. Hillary Clinton was the candidate because "supposedly it was her turn" and, as a result, we got Trump.
I believe that we need people who understand and RESPECT how government works. Experience and knowledge is still important. although evidently less so now. In my opinion, too many people who lack this background leap into politics to boost their own egos or to pursue a specific ideology forgetting that their purpose is to pursue the greater good.
Politics has also become a nasty environment. Degrading your opponent began with Lee Atwater and has reached new lows with the current administration.
Running for office is not for the faint of heart.