Virginia’s Governor Tells Top Staffers That He Won’t Resign

It doesn’t sound like Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam will resign. He held a meeting with his Cabinet earlier this week and reportedly begged them for support. He told them that he couldn’t resign, because he’d be labeled a “racist” for the remainder of his life.

Cabinet members are on the struggle bus.

According to this, Northam was “close” to resigning over the weekend, but he had a sudden change of heart. He continues to tell top staffers that he’s not going anywhere.

A senior official in Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s administration says the governor has told his top staff that he does not plan to resign over a racist photo despite intense pressure to step down.

The official says Northam told his Cabinet during a Friday afternoon meeting that he intends to stay. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Everyone normal in Virginia right now:

h/t TIME