Embattled Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is toying with the idea of leaving the Democratic Party and holding onto his position by becoming an Independent.

Switching parties could be a way for Northam to hang on, after a picture of his medical school yearbook page was shown to include a photo of someone dressed in blackface, and another person dressed in a Ku Klux Klan robe. The picture prompted several prominent Democrats to say he needs to step down, but the Washington Post reported that Northam has at least thought about a party switch as a way of dodging those complaints.

The Post said he has been isolated from his political allies and state and national party since the picture emerged.

Northam has provided conflicting accounts of the story behind the picture. He first apologized for the image and later claimed that he is neither of the people in the photo.

Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who would take Northam’s position should he step down, is also facing a scandal of his own after a woman accused him of sexually assaulting her at the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

Fairfax, also a Democrat, denied the allegations.