The Democratic Party of Virginia (DPVA) is falling further into chaos as they have just denied a $2,500 donation from Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D) to pay for a table at the party’s annual Blue Commonwealth Gala. Fairfax contacted the party earlier this month to reserve a table with the money that would be considered a donation to the state party, but over two months removed from the beginning of his sexual assault scandals, the Democratic Party is distancing themselves from the Commonwealth’s second-in-command.
Fairfax had originally requested the table just as Dr. Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Wilson, who have accused the lieutenant governor of sexual assault and rape, respectively, appeared on national television to speak about the instances they allege against Fairfax during interviews with Gayle King on “CBS This Morning.”
During that time, Fairfax also announced that he had taken – and passed by his attorney’s admission – two polygraph tests.
State party spokesman Jake Rubenstein said in a report from NBC12 that Democrats do not feel “comfortable” accepting money from Fairfax after the two women came forward accusing him of sexual assault.
Fairfax has denied the allegations, and what is left of his staff claims “the party” is denying Fairfax due process.
Nearing the end of the 2019 General Assembly session, Republicans in the House of Delegates sought to create a bipartisan legislative panel to hold hearings for Fairfax and his accusers to air out their claims. However, House Minority Leader (D-Fairfax) did not agree to the stipulations that would have ensured that due process was given to all parties involved.
As the DPVA is set to hold its signature annual event on June 15th, neither Governor Ralph Northam (D), nor Attorney General Mark Herring (D), both of whom have admitted to wearing blackface years ago, have sought to sponsor a table.
With the 2019 elections just over six months away, the party’s scandal-ridden nature will put a damper on fundraising as they seek to reclaim majorities in the statehouse in Richmond. Currently, the GOP holds slim majorities in the House of Delegates and State Senate, 51-49 and 21-19, respectively.