Politics

Sen. Mark Warner ‘Shocked’ And ‘Disappointed’ Over Herring’s Admission Of Blackface

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images

Kerry Picket Political Reporter
Font Size:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Virginia Sen. Mark Warner told reporters Wednesday he was “shocked” and “disappointed” over statements made by Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring saying he dressed as rapper Kurtis Blow and wore brown makeup at a party in 1980.

“In 1980, when I was a 19-year-old undergraduate in college, some friends suggested we attend a party dressed like rappers we listened to at the time, like Kurtis Blow, and perform a song,” Herring wrote in a statement. “It sounds ridiculous even now writing it. But because of our ignorance and glib attitudes—and because we did not have an appreciation for the experiences and perspectives of others—we dressed up and put on wigs and brown makeup.”

“I’m shocked—disappointed. I’m still processing it,” Warner told reporters in response to Herring’s statement.

When asked about the succession of the top three leaders of Virginia who have faced their own scandals in the last week, he replied, “This has obviously been an extraordinarily challenging week for all Virginians. And I think, regardless where we’re standing, there needs to be a moment of coming together right now.”

Herring’s admission comes just days after a photo from the medical school yearbook page of Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam showed an individual in blackface and an individual in a KKK outfit. Herring had called on Northam to resign over the photo, Fox 5 DC reported.  (RELATED: Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine Will Wait On Fairfax Accuser To Step Forward Before Considering Charge)

“It is no longer possible for Gov. Northam to lead our Commonwealth and it is time for him to step down,” he said of Northam when the photo first surfaced.

Northam later admitted at a press conference he had darkened his face to imitate Michael Jackson at a dance contest in the early 1980s. Calls for his resignation immediately followed, but Northam has refused to step down from office. Many expected his lieutenant governor, Justin Fairfax, to step in, but a woman has since lobbed a sexual assault allegation against him from 2004.

Follow Kerry on Twitter

Kerry Picket is a host on SiriusXM Patriot 125