In an interview with "CBS This Morning" host Gayle King, Virginia's Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam said he will not resign amid the controversy over his racist yearbook photo.
"I have thought about resigning, but I've also thought about what Virginia needs right now," Northam said. "And I really think that I’m in a position where I can take Virginia to the next level and it will be very positive."
"Right now Virginia needs someone that can heal. There’s no better person to do that than a doctor," Northam said.
"Virginia also needs someone who is strong, who has empathy, who has courage, and who has a moral compass," he continued. "And that’s why I’m not going anywhere. I have learned from this. I have a lot more to learn, but we’re in a unique opportunity now."
He also referred to 2019 being the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first "indentured servants" in Virginia:
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam: "We are now at the 400-year anniversary — just 90 miles from here in 1619. The first indentured servants from Africa landed on our shores in Old Point Comfort, what we call now Fort Monroe, and while—"@GayleKing: "Also known as slavery" pic.twitter.com/AiX96MU1rJ
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 10, 2019