Youngkin Apologizes For Misidentifying Black Lawmaker

RICHMOND, VA — After misidentifying a Black lawmaker who gave a Black History Month speech, Gov. Glenn Youngkin apologized for the mistake.

The mistake happened via a text message from Youngkin to state Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), the president pro tempore of the Virginia Senate. Lucas shared the incident via Twitter, saying Youngkin congratulated her on a Black History Month Speech. But Lucas said it was state Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton) who gave the speech.

She shared side-to-side photos of herself and Locke in the Tweet, saying, "study the photos and you will get this soon!"

Lucas corrected Youngkin in a text message response, according to the Washington Post. Youngkin then replied "Goodness … so sorry about the confusion. I will send her a note. Thanks for the note back!"

Lucas did not initially share the incident but made it public on Twitter late that week. She told the Washington Post she shared it after Republicans in the House of Delegates sought to remove 1,000 Democratic appointees to state boards. The move was believed to be a response to the Senate voting against Youngkin's nominee for secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, Andrew Wheeler. Republicans ended up removing 11 appointees from state boards.

Youngkin's mistake drew scrutiny and memes from social media users when Lucas made it public.