Jay Jones Taps Ralph Northam to Co-Lead His Transition Team Despite Blackface, Abortion Scandals [WATCH]

Virginia Attorney General-elect Jay Jones announced his transition team on Thursday, naming former Democratic Governor Ralph Northam—whose tenure was marked by a blackface controversy and outrage over abortion comments—to help lead the group, as reported by Fox News.

Northam, a former pediatrician from Onancock, Virginia, served as governor from 2018 to 2022.

His time in office drew national attention in 2019 when Big League Politics, a right-leaning outlet, published a photo from the 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook showing a person in blackface and another dressed in a Ku Klux Klan hood on a page identified as Northam’s.

New Virginia AG Jay Jones has announced that former Virginia Governor Ralph “Coonman” Northam will be part of his transition team. pic.twitter.com/gfxWGNmGdN

— Gain of Fauci (@DschlopesIsBack) November 7, 2025

The image prompted bipartisan calls for his resignation.

Jones, a Democrat who defeated Republican candidate Chuck Smith in November’s election, made the announcement late Thursday. His campaign described Northam as one of several “distinguished and experienced leaders” who will advise him as he prepares to take office.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Other members of the transition team include former First Lady Pamela Northam, former Virginia Deputy Attorney General Cynthia Hudson, and former Obama-era U.S. Attorney Timothy Heaphy, who also served as chief investigative counsel for the House January 6 Select Committee.

The list also includes two Democrat law enforcement officials — the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney and Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan.

In a statement, Jones’ campaign said, “They share a commitment to public safety, public service, and the well-being of all Virginians. The transition team will work with Attorney General-Elect Jones as he prepares to take office so he can keep our communities safe, protect Virginia jobs, and defend our fundamental rights.”

Northam faced widespread backlash in 2019 over the yearbook photo. He initially apologized, saying, “The decision I made to appear as I did in this photo is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine, and in public service.”

REMINDER: Ralph Northam admitted on video that he was in the KKK/blackface photo.

Luckily @CarpeDonktum saved it. pic.twitter.com/TQqtVHhTKe

— Big League Politics (@bigleaguepol) May 22, 2019

Days later, Northam backtracked, saying he no longer believed he was in the photo but admitted he once darkened his face to impersonate Michael Jackson for a costume contest.

During a press conference, he explained, “The reason I used a very little bit is because I don’t know if anybody’s ever tried that — but you cannot get shoe polish off.”

Northam nearly began performing Jackson’s “Moonwalk” before being stopped by his wife, Pamela Northam.

The former governor also drew national condemnation for comments he made about late-term abortions during a WTOP radio interview in which he described a scenario in which a baby could be “kept comfortable” after birth while physicians and parents “discussed” options.

Then-President Donald Trump responded by accusing Northam and other Democrats of endorsing “killing babies after birth” and “executing the baby.”

Abigail Spanberger is running for governor of Virginia and refused to affirm life-saving care for babies born alive after failed abortions. Many claim that doesn’t happen. Here’s former Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam admitting it does.

“The infant would be delivered,… pic.twitter.com/yCs5y4gTPM

— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) November 4, 2025

Northam completed his term in 2022, succeeded by Republican Glenn Youngkin. Jones’ decision to appoint him as co-chair has reignited debate over the Democratic Party’s handling of past scandals and its continued reliance on figures tied to controversy.

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