Joint Statement from Virginia Representatives Luria, Spanberger, Wexton, Beyer, and Connolly Calling on Lieutenant Governor Fairfax to Resign

Press Release

Virginia Representatives Elaine Luria, Abigail Spanberger, Jennifer Wexton, Don Beyer, and Gerry Connolly today issued the following statement.

"The past seven days have been some of the most painful we can remember. It has been very difficult to marshal the thoughts, let alone the words, to react.

"The allegations raised by Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson raise two fundamental questions which Virginia's leaders are called to answer: do we believe them, and, if so, do we believe that Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax should continue to serve?

"We believe Dr. Vanessa Tyson. We found her account compelling and highly credible. The central issue at the heart of her account is consent, and there can be no better authority to decide whether it was given than Dr. Tyson herself. Meredith Watson's statement describes another extremely disturbing incident, which lends further credence to Dr. Tyson's story.

"All survivors of sexual violence and harassment deserve to be supported and heard, and our commitment to that principle is more important than any political consideration.

"The Lieutenant Governor of Virginia presides over the Virginia Senate and must be prepared to fill the role of Governor. It is unacceptable that either of these weighty responsibilities be entrusted to someone who has engaged in the behavior described by Dr. Tyson and Meredith Watson, particularly in light of Gov. Northam's situation, which we continue to believe requires his resignation.

"Lt. Governor Fairfax has also shown exceptionally poor judgment in his handling of these allegations. He repeatedly attacked his accuser, he reportedly used vile and degrading language to describe her, he mischaracterized an investigation into the encounter, and he sought to blame others for events in his own past. These actions do not meet the standard to which we hold Virginia's highest elected officers.

"For these reasons we believe that Justin Fairfax cannot continue to serve as Lt. Governor of Virginia, and should step aside."

Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the Vice Chair of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves as Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee.