OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 10:40 AM PT – Sat. February 2, 2019
Embattled Democrat Governor Ralph Northam is walking back his apology for a racist photo that surfaced on Friday.
The Virginia executive is telling his colleagues Saturday, he is not in the racially charged photo from his yearbook page.
Further, he’s willing to fight the allegations being made against him, adding he has no plans to step down from his post.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam speaks to a crowd during a Women’s Rights rally at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Monday, Jan. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Northam is currently isolating himself with his advisers, as they try to put together a game plan to weather the storm caused by the hateful photo.
His new approach to the situation offers a stark contrast to his comments on Friday, in which he took responsibility, and apologized for his actions.
Northam is reportedly reaching out to his medical school colleagues, speculating that the photo may have been wrongly attributed to his yearbook page.
The Democrat governor still has three more years in office, with his future prospects already damaged by the current allegations.
My fellow Virginians, earlier today I released a statement apologizing for behavior in my past that falls far short of the standard you set for me when you elected me to be your governor. I believe you deserve to hear directly from me. pic.twitter.com/1rSw1oxfrX
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) February 2, 2019