“Six months ago, [Republicans] thought they might be able to run against Ralph Northam, but polls have shown Northam has not suffered a great deal in the court of public opinion for his behavior in his 20s, and he hasn’t turned out to be the silver bullet that Republicans might have been hoping for,” said University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth.

Virginia Republicans thought calling Ralph Northam ‘Gov. Blackface’ would help them. That’s changed. (Washington Post)