Ralph Northam pledges to keep Virginia diverse, inclusive

Ralph Northam speaking to Views News TV as candidate at a Pakistan Independence Day event in Virginia August 2017

Virginia’s newly elected governor Ralph Northam has pledged respect for diversity and vowed to keep the state inclusive as Democrats felt animated by their first post-2016 election major victory in the race viewed as bellwether of the national politics.

“We live in a very diverse society … it is that diverse society that makes this country great, and as long as I’m governor, I will make sure we’re inclusive,” a jubilant Ralph said after his victory.

In contrast with his Republican rival Ed Gillespie, who  toughened his stance on immigration, Ralph amplified his outreach to America’s diverse communities and addressed gatherings of Muslim, African and Asian communities.

Democrats exulted in the victory of Northam in Virginia Phil Murphy in New Jersey who defeated Republican Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno to take over the reigns of the state from Chris Christie. They were also on the verge of taking 47 seats in the House of Delegates in a sweep that is unprecedented in recent decades. The political trend may define the outcome of next year’s midterm polls. The GOP has been dominating the House of Delegates for a long time.

The victories in two large states of Virginia and New Jersey mark the first time Democrats have been able to make a comeback on the political scene since President Donald Trump won the 2016 election beating Hillary Clinton. Analysts saw results from Tuesday’s vote as a reflection of the people’s views of the Trump Administration’s performance.

But President Trump, traveling in Asia, said Gillespie, a former RNC chair, had not embraced his policies, and said Republicans would so better in the future with even bigger wins than before.

A doctor by profession, Ralph, who has served as Lieutenant Governor under outgoing Governor Terry McAullife, vowed to serve everyone in the state.

“In Virginia, it’s going to take a doctor to heal our differences, to bring unity to our people,” Ralph said.

“Tonight, we made history. Couldn’t be prouder to be a member of the @VADemocrats. Together we’ll build a commonwealth that works for everyone—no matter who you are, no matter where you’re from. Congratulations to all our delegate candidates on their wins tonight!”

Northam’s team would include Justin Fairfax, an African-American as Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General Mark Herring, who retained his position from Tuesday’s ballot as Virginians voted for the Democratic agenda.

In a series of tweets posted on his Twitter account, Northam noted that the people “want to live in communities that are safe, where there aren’t guns on every street corner.”

“They want to make sure that their children have access to a quality education —–Virginians want a job that they can support themselves and their families with,” Northam said.