Here is the the latest on Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and the photo that shows him in a racist costume.

UPDATE

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is expected to release a statement to the media today at 2:30 p.m. inside the Governor’s Executive Mansion.

News Channel 11 will be providing live coverage of the event.

10:45 a.m.

A Virginia Democrat who has spoken with Northam has told The Associated Press that the governor now does not believe he was in a racist picture in his 1984 medical yearbook and has no immediate plans to resign.



The Democrat was not authorized to speak on the record to detail a private conversation.



Northam is calling state lawmakers Saturday to try and gain support so he can remain in office, the Democrat said.



Northam has faced a torrent of criticism and calls for his resignation after a photo surfaced from decades ago that showed two people in racist costumes: One person is dressed in blackface, and another is wearing a full Ku Klux Klan uniform.The photo appeared in Northam’s 1984 medical school yearbook.

On Friday, Northam apologized for appearing in the photo.

10:30 a.m.

Top Republicans in the Virginia General Assembly are calling on Northam to resign after he acknowledged appearing in a photo wearing a racist costume.

House Speaker Kirk Cox and Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment said Saturday the governor had lost the public’s confidence, and it is in the state’s best interests for him to step down.

Virginia House of Delegates Speaker Cox, Majority Leader Todd Gilbert, Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo, and Majority Whip Nick Rush issued the following joint statement to News Channel 11 Saturday morning:

“When the racist picture first emerged Friday, we were shocked and repulsed. The photo is disturbing and offensive, as unacceptable in 1984 as it is today. “We withheld judgement last night while awaiting an explanation from the Governor believing the gravity of the situation deserved prudence and deliberation. “We agree with the powerful words of our colleagues in the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and believe that because of this photo the Governor has lost the confidence of the citizens he serves. “While we respect the Governor’s lifetime of service, his ability to lead and govern is permanently impaired and the interests of the Commonwealth necessitate his resignation.”

The Republicans join a growing chorus of elected officials in Virginia and elsewhere calling for Northam’s resignation.

Northam apologized Friday for appearing in a photo in which one person is dressed in blackface and another is wearing a full Ku Klux Klan uniform, but has not said he will resign. The photo appeared in his 1984 medical school yearbook.

___

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam appears to have almost no choice but to resign after losing support from virtually the entire state Democratic party and other key allies, who urged the governor to leave office because of a racist photo in which he appeared more than 30 years ago.

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus, the state House Democratic Caucus and the state Senate Democratic Caucus all called on Northam to resign late Friday, along with several key progressive groups that have been some of the governor’s closest political allies.

Their calls for Northam to step down came in a wave late Friday, after the Democrat had apologized for appearing in a photo in which one person is dressed in blackface and another is wearing a full Ku Klux Klan uniform. The photo appeared in his 1984 medical school yearbook.