Virginia Republican Agrees With Radio Host's Comment About Rep. Jeffries

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries's office criticized Rep. " The phrase is widely viewed as offensive because it references labor that millions of Black people were forced to perform as enslaved people and later as sharecroppers in the South. Kiggans participated in the interview Monday on WRVA radio in Richmond while discussing Virginia's recent redistricting battle.

" Kiggans responded by saying "That's right. " Jeffries's spokesperson, Christie Stephenson, said the episode fits a broader pattern among some Republicans of using racist language and seeking to reverse civil rights gains. Stephenson added that Kiggans had an opportunity to disavow the remarks but instead doubled down and then tripled down by issuing a statement that blamed Democrats for distortions.

"Extremists who endorse disgusting, vile and racist language are pathetic," Stephenson said in a statement. The House Democratic whip said Kiggans should apologize and resign. Kiggans represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District in the southeastern part of the state.

She faces a competitive re-election race against former Rep. Elaine Luria, whom she defeated in 2022. Nonpartisan analysts rate the contest as a toss-up. The dispute centers on Virginia's congressional map. Jeffries supported Democratic efforts to redraw the boundaries in a way that would have shifted four Republican-held seats toward Democrats.

The Virginia Supreme Court last week struck down that map and left the existing one in place. That map currently gives Democrats a 6-5 edge in the state's congressional delegation.

She wrote on her social media account that Democrats were using lies and distortions to distract from their losses and from the state Supreme Court's ruling against what she called their attempt to rig elections. "The radio host should not have used that language and I do not — and did not — condone it," Kiggans added.