Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Calls On Virginia Governor Ralph Northam To Resign In Response To Revelation Of Racist Photograph

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to the revelations about Virginia Governor Ralph Northam's yearbook page:

"Bigotry has no place in public or private life in America. Just yesterday, I condemned religious-based discrimination against the Indian and Hindu-American community. Unfortunately, this type of discrimination has become all too common as we face a string of race-based crimes across the country against Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans, LGBTQ people, and other minorities.

In this crucial fight against bigotry, we need leaders who will inspire tolerance, hope, and faith so that our country can successfully defeat its historical demons and the virulent prejudice that continues to hold America back from the full potential it has yet to realize. We need leaders who occupy the moral and ethical high ground to help shape a nation that accepts people of all races, colors, creeds, and backgrounds committed to building a more perfect, more diverse union.

Unfortunately, Governor Ralph Northam can no longer serve as one of those elected leaders. The 1984 photograph from Governor Northam's yearbook is offensive and racist. Governor Northam has apologized for the photograph, but he must now step down and resign from his office to allow Virginia and America to move forward to fully embrace diversity, equality, and acceptance of all Americans."