The sexual misconduct accusation came to light as Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax prepared to potentially ascend to the governorship. | Steve Helber/AP Photo POLITICS DNC chairman: Fairfax accuser deserves 'due process'

The woman who has accused Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of sexual assault deserves “due process,” Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez said Wednesday.

Fairfax has denied that the sexual encounter from 2004 was nonconsensual, as the woman has claimed. Evidence that might corroborate either party's version of events has yet to emerge.


But even without evidence one way or the other, Perez told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Wednesday that “I believe she is entitled to due process.”

“We need to always take these allegations seriously,” he said. “I said this whenever this issue has come up. We must accord respect to an accuser and we must accord due process to the accused.”

Fairfax’s accuser on Monday retained the same law firm in Washington that represented Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who last year accused Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when the two were in high school.

Kavanaugh denied that allegation, condemning it as a smear. The accusation against Fairfax has drawn comparisons to the allegation against Kavanaugh — in particular, the stark contrast in how Democrats responded in each instance.

The accusation came to light as Fairfax prepared to potentially ascend to the governorship should embattled Gov. Ralph Northam bow to calls from Republicans and Democrats alike to resign over a racist photo that emerged last weekend.

But while Democrats have been outspoken in denouncing Northam and calling for his resignation, they have stayed relatively silent on the accusations against Fairfax, cautioning, when they do comment, against rushing to judgment while insisting that the woman should be heard.