A spokesperson for House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday strongly criticized Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) for endorsing a conservative radio host's racist remark that Jeffries should keep his "cotton-picking hands off of Virginia."
Spokesperson Condemns Kiggans
Christie Stephenson, Jeffries' spokesperson, issued a statement denouncing Kiggans. "Extremists who endorse disgusting, vile and racist language are pathetic," Stephenson said. "Jen Kiggans has no interest in our nation's progress toward a multi-racial democracy and apparently craves a return to the days of Jim Crow racial oppression in the South."
The Controversial Exchange
Kiggans appeared on "Richmond's Morning News" on Monday, where host Rich Herrera brought up Jeffries' recent comments about Democrats' chances to retake the House. Herrera said, "If Hakeem Jeffries wants to be involved in Virginia politics, then I suggest he does what a bunch of New Yorkers are doing. Leave New York, move down here to Virginia. Run for office down here, you can represent us. If not, get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia." Kiggans replied, "That's right. Ditto. Yes, yes to that."
Fallout and Calls for Resignation
House Democrats swiftly condemned Kiggans, with some calling for her resignation. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), co-chair of the Maternity Care Caucus with Kiggans, urged her to resign from both the caucus and Congress. "Rep. Kiggans agreed with a disgusting and vile comment from a far-right wing talk show host — and then outright lied about it in a nonapologetic statement, even after we all heard her," Kelly said. "If a Member of Congress cannot call out racist comments, then she certainly cannot be relied upon to improve healthcare for all our communities."
Kiggans' Response
Kiggans later stated that the radio host should not have used that language and that she did not condone it. However, she criticized Democrats for making an issue of it. "This is precisely what's wrong with Democrats," Kiggans posted on social media. "Every lie and distortion is intended to distract from getting their hats handed to them and the Virginia Supreme Court's clear message: stop trying to rig our elections."
Stephenson dismissed Kiggans' follow-up as "pathetic." "Jen Kiggans had her chance to disavow the vile, racist and dehumanizing comments from far-right talk show host Rich Herrera. Instead, she doubled down. Then, Jen Kiggans tripled down and attempted to blame partisanship in a pathetic follow-up statement. It was a stunning failure of judgment and leadership for a so-called moderate Member of Congress representing a large, vibrant African American community in Virginia."
Kiggans' office did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday. Despite the Virginia Supreme Court's recent decision against Democrats' redistricting plans, Kiggans' seat is considered a toss-up by the Cook Political Report.
