Virginia Dems say Justin Fairfax’s accuser should be heard

State Democrats in Virginia said Tuesday that the woman who has accused Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax of rape deserves to be heard.

“The facts here are still being determined. Every individual deserves the opportunity to be heard, and we respect anyone who comes forward to share their story,” the Democratic caucuses in the state General Assembly said in a joint statement.

The state Democratic Party also added its voice: “All allegations of sexual assault deserve to be taken with profound gravity. We will continue to evaluate the situation regarding Lieutenant Governor Fairfax.”

Mr. Fairfax has admitted to a sexual encounter with the woman at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, but has said it was consensual.

He has vehemently denounced her allegations, as detailed to The Washington Post, that he grasped her head and forced her to perform oral sex on him.

The Post said it couldn’t find anyone to corroborate either person’s account.

Mr. Fairfax shot to national prominence over the last week as Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam faced calls to quit after his 1984 medical school yearbook page was found to have a photo of someone in blackface standing next to someone in a KKK costume.

Mr. Northam has denied he’s in the photo, but admitted he has darkened his face to appear black in the past.

He has rebuffed calls to resign, saying that would be too easy and his path of reconciliation requires him to stay in office to foster a conversation on race.

High-level Democrats had been eager to oust Mr. Northam and replace him with Mr. Fairfax, who is a young, dynamic and black. But that enthusiasm was dulled by the latest allegations.