Virginia Democrat Gov. Ralph Northam Not Resigning After Racist Yearbook Photo, Says Spokesperson

Northam's nickname in Virginia Military Institute yearbook was 'Coonman'

ABOVE VIDEO: Can Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam avoid resignation after racist photo emerges?

(CBS NEWS) – Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is not resigning, his communications director, Ofirah Yheskel, told CBS News on Saturday, as he faced mounting pressure to step down over a racist yearbook photo.

Northam’s page in the 1984 East Virginia Medical School yearbook contains a photograph of two people — one appearing to be wearing blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan costume. He said Friday night he is pictured in the photo.

CBS News also uncovered a page on Friday from Northam’s yearbook at the Virginia Military Institute that had nicknames listed underneath his name. One of them was “Coonman,” a racial slur.

Northam, a Democrat, faced immediate backlash, with many political figures on both sides of the aisle calling for him to resign.

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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

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