Virginians are split over whether Gov. Ralph Northam should resign over a photo on his 1984 medical school yearbook page showing people in blackface and a Ku Klux Klan robe, a new Washington Post-Schar poll shows.

He promised to start an honest conversation about race and how to heal the lingering wounds of Virginia’s painful past. Then he disappeared.

Virginia’s Democrats struggled to find their way out of three interlocking political crises Thursday that could bring down the party’s top elected officials and put a Republican in the governor’s chair.

One of the busiest days on the Virginia legislature’s calendar began under a cloud of suspense Tuesday as Gov. Ralph Northam weighed whether he can continue in the job amid the fallout over a racist photo on his 1984 medical school yearbook page.

Tobacco-friendly Virginia is preparing to raise the age limit on buying traditional and electric cigarettes from 18 to 21. GOP leaders in the majority-Republican General Assembly announced Thursday they were backing legislation to raise the limit for all tobacco products, citing the rapid growth of teenage vaping. Virginia-based tobacco giant Altria announced support for the legislation. The surprise announcement by…

Ed Gillespie squeaked by Corey Stewart for the Republican nomination for governor of Virginia while Ralph Northam had an easier path to the Democratic nomination, defeating Tom Perriello.

William Howell, speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, faced down his primary challenger Tuesday handily, winning his party’s nomination by taking more than 63 percent of the vote before 8 p.m.

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell testified Friday about asking Jonnie Williams for a $20,000 loan two months after borrowing $50,000.