Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat who admitted to wearing blackface in the 1980s, has been defeated by Republican challenger Jason Miyares.
After Virginia Democrat Governor Ralph Northam was caught wearing blackface by National File’s Patrick Howley, soon after Herring admitted to his own blackface scandal.
“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 said in a statement at the time. “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.”
“This was a onetime occurrence and I accept full responsibility for my conduct. That conduct clearly shows that, as a young man, I had a callous and inexcusable lack of awareness and insensitivity to the pain my behavior could inflict on others. It was really a minimization of both people of color, and a minimization of a horrific history I knew well even then.”
Projection:
Republican Jason Miyares is the Projected Winner in the Virginia Attorney General’s race. He will defeat Incumbent Democrat Mark Herring.GOP Gain#Election2021 #ElectionDay #VAGov #NJGov #OH11 #OH15 pic.twitter.com/RuFVHVjAfX
— The Election Center (@ElectionCenter_) November 3, 2021
At press, Miyares won with almost 10 points, at 54.55% to Herring’s 45.45%.
Meanwhile, the race to choose Northam’s successor remains undecided. Earlier, it was announced that Fairfax County, the largest population county in the state that leans heavily Democrat, had issues with the vote and would need to re-scan some ballots.
Like Youngkin, Miyares’ campaign has focused on education and highlighted his heritage as the son of a Cuban immigrant:
🚨🚨 NEW AD ALERT 🚨🚨
We teach kids the Pledge – but I had to teach it to my mother, who fled Cuba, penniless and homeless, to become a US Citizen. pic.twitter.com/S33J1Q5SrY
— Jason Miyares (@JasonMiyaresVA) September 24, 2021
