Taikein Cooper, who is black and is the chairman of the Prince Edward Democratic Committee, also called on Northam to resign. "You can't champion racial reconciliation, during the 400 year anniversary of enslaved Americans being brought to Virginia, while being comfortable under the hood and/or behind a blackface," Cooper posted on social media.

In his written apology, Northam said he would heal the damage his past conduct had caused.

“This behavior is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine, and in public service. But I want to be clear, I understand how this decision shakes Virginians’ faith in that commitment.

“I recognize that it will take time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused. I am ready to do that important work. The first step is to offer my sincerest apology and to state my absolute commitment to living up to the expectations Virginians set for me when they elected me to be their governor.”

Last month, Florida’s secretary of state, Michael Ertel, resigned after photos emerged of him posing as a Hurricane Katrina victim in blackface 14 years ago, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.