Gov. Ralph Northam vows to win back trust of all Virginians following controversies

Governor Ralph Northam spoke at Alexandria City Hall Tuesday where he called for tougher state legislation cracking down on distracted driving. Afterward, Northam answered reporters' questions for the first time in Northern Virginia since the blackface and KKK costume controversy earlier this year.

"Obviously, we're going to re-focus a bit and I have already tasked my cabinet secretaries to really deal with the race inequity issues. We have a lot of inequities still in Virginia. Things like access to education, access to health care, access to employment opportunities... to the voting booth. So we'll focus on those and I really think we're in a good position," said Northam. "There's a level of awareness regarding race inequity right now in Virginia that we have never seen.... that I have never seen in my lifetime."

FOX 5's Bob Barnard asked the governor whether he was glad he didn't resign under all that intense pressure right after the scandal broke.

"Well, as I said, I was elected to be governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. I think we've had a great first year and I want to continue to do that work for Virginia. That's why I was elected and that's what I'll continue to do," said Northam.

Barnard also asked Northam about the controversies surrounding Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and Va. Attorney General Mark Herring.

"You know the lieutenant governor is dealing with some issues, as is our attorney general. And I think the truth needs to be told and I do... I support him and Attorney General herring," said Northam. "We were again... we were elected in 2017 to do the job of Virginia. They're doing their job, as am I, and we'll continue to do that."

The governor left Alexandria vowing to be back soon and to continue working hard to win back the trust of all Virginians.