Coalescing scandals have engulfed Virginia’s leaders, plunging the state into political free fall.

First, Gov. Ralph Northam came under fire for a racist yearbook photo, which he acknowledged and then denied appearing in. He also admitted to wearing blackface to dress up as Michael Jackson in the 1980s.

Then Lt. Gov. Justin E. Fairfax was accused of sexual assault by two women, allegations he has strongly denied. And the state’s third-ranking elected official in Virginia, Attorney General Mark R. Herring, has acknowledged that he, too, wore blackface as a younger man.

Only a week ago, it seemed that Mr. Fairfax, who is African-American, was poised to ascend to the governorship and lead Virginia through a reckoning with its painful history on race. But now he is facing the threat of impeachment proceedings, while the state’s other two top leaders, both white, are resisting calls to quit over past racist conduct.

Here is what the law says about removing Virginia politicians from office, why Mr. Fairfax’s case could throw gasoline on this political fire and what could happen next if Mr. Fairfax were to be forced out of office.