How Virginia Governor Ralph Northam went from being a respected US Army veteran and physician to being embroiled in two national controversies
Northam was born and raised on Virginia's Eastern Shore and attended the Virginia Military Institute before graduating with his M.D. from Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Northam worked in residencies at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and served as chief neurological resident at Johns Hopkins Hospital for eight years in the United States Army.
During his time as a medical officer from 1984-1992, Northam was based in Germany, treating soldiers wounded in Operation Desert Storm.
Sources: Virginia General Assembly
Northam first entered politics in 2007 when he won Virginia 6th Senate district seat, gaining control of Norfolk and the Eastern Shore areas where he was raised.
Source: Ballotpedia
As a State Senator, Northam authored a bill that was passed in 2009 that banned smoking in most restaurants and bars.
Source: The Virginian-Pilot
Northam defeated Republican E.W. Jackson to become Lieutenant Governor in 2013.
In 2015, Northam launched a campaign for governor that included emphasis on his past support for pro-choice policies, expanded resources for veterans, and childhood welfare and education.
Northam also received support during his bid from former President Barack Obama.
Northam's campaign coincided with the violent Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, which he incorporated into his stance on removing Confederate statues.
Northam supported moving Confederate symbols and statues to museums and said they should be replaced with figures that "elevate the parts of our history that have all too often been underrepresented," including African-American activist Barbara Johns.
Source: Twitter
Northam became Virginia's 73rd governor in 2018.
In an address to the General Assembly, newly inaugurated Northam emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion by pointing out his majority-women cabinet and the increasing diversity of Virginia's state government.
Source: WTVR Richmond
After nearly a year in office, Northam stoked controversy with his comments about a proposed state law that would loosen late-term abortion restrictions that some thought conveyed Northam's tacit endorsement of infanticide.
Source: Vox
Days later, Northam's personal page from the Eastern Virginia Medical School's 1984 yearbook was obtained by several newspapers that show a man wearing blackface and a bow tie standing next to another person in a Ku Klux Klan-style robe.
Northam confirmed the page's authenticity amid calls from both sides of the aisle for him to resign, including Former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, who said it was a "heartbreaking day."
Source: Business Insider
After initially claiming the page as real, Northam reversed, reportedly telling Democratic lawmakers it wasn't him in the photo and he would resist the calls to resign. Northam also promised an official announcement would come later Saturday.
Source: CNN
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