Leading Democrats call for Gov. Northam to resign over racist yearbook photo

Top Democratic leaders are calling for the governor of Virginia to resign after a yearbook photo resurfaced showing him in a racist photo.

Among those calling for his resignation were presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who tweeted, "Leaders are called to a higher standard, and the stain of racism should have no place in the halls of government."

"The Governor of Virginia should step aside so the public can heal and move forward together," she added.

Northam released a statement on Friday admitting that the photo was authentic, but he did not disclose whether he was the man dressed as a KKK member or the man wearing blackface.

"Earlier today, a website published a photograph of me from my 1984 medical school yearbook in a costume that is clearly racist and offensive," he said in the statement.

"I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now," he added.

Another presidential candidate, Julian Castro, tweeted the same sentiment:

"It doesn't matter if he is a Republican or a Democrat," Castro tweeted. "This behavior was racist and unconscionable. Governor Northam should resign."

The progressive organization MoveOn.Org agreed.

Left-wing news website Daily Kos also called for his resignation. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) released a statement saying there was no excuse for the "shockingly racist" picture.

"Governor Ralph Northam must resign," he said. "There is no excuse for the shockingly racist picture. I note that Florida Republican Secretary of State Michael Ertel resigned last month for being in blackface. This picture is even worse. It's blackface next to a KKK figure."

Northam's statement had no mention of any intention to resign.

Here's the latest on the racist Northam photo:

Calls for Virginia governor to resign amid blackface scandalwww.youtube.com