According to that source, the governor specifically said that if he resigns, he would be resigning as a “racist for life,” and that the only way he can clear his name is to stay in office and convince people that he is not in that photo and that the photo does not represent who he is.
— Read on wtkr.com/2019/02/04/embattled-northam-tells-cabinet-he-wont-resign-and-be-known-as-a-racist-for-life/