Virginia House Speaker Kirk Cox did so Saturday morning, saying in a statement, "I deeply respect the principle of due process and believe that the gravity of this situation demands prudence and deliberation, but the Lt. Governor has clearly lost the trust and confidence of the people of Virginia," he said. Cox, a Republican, said Fairfax's ability to serve had been, "permanently impaired." The speaker of the house is third in line to be governor if Gov. Ralph Northam, Fairfax and Attorney General Mark Herring, each embroiled in a scandal at the moment, all resigned.