Northam Calls on Cuccinelli to Resign

Press Release

Today Democratic Senator Ralph Northam, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, called on Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli to resign over his comments advocating for opponents of federal contraception laws to "go to jail" to fight the law.

"It is disgraceful the top prosecutor in Virginia would ever encourage folks to break the law, period. Furthermore, the reality is that many women--of both parties--favor coverage for contraception by a high margin. Cuccinelli's statement calls into question if he can administer the laws he is sworn to uphold and I believe he should step down from his position immediately."

On January 9th, Cuccinelli remarked on a syndicated Iowa radio show: "My local bishop said he told a group, "Well, you know, I told a group I'm ready to go to jail,' and I told him, "Bishop, don't take this personally -- you need to go to jail."

Former attorneys general who have run for governor have commonly resigned, citing they would not have time to do both jobs. Those include Jim Gilmore, Jerry Kilgore, and Bob McDonnell.

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