Virginia Rep. Jen Kiggans Agrees With Radio Host's Comment About Hakeem Jeffries

Rep. Jen Kiggans agreed during a radio interview with a host who used the phrase "cotton-picking hands" in reference to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his involvement in Virginia politics. The interview occurred on Richmond's Morning News with host Rich Herrera as the pair discussed ongoing redistricting battles.

Jeffries has supported efforts to redraw Virginia's congressional maps, a process that has created tension between the two parties. The state Supreme Court overturned a map backed by Democrats, leading to a proposal from some Democrats to remove justices and replace them with others who might rule differently.

Herrera told listeners that if Jeffries wanted to influence Virginia politics he should move from New York, run for office in the state and represent its residents. "If not, get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia," Herrera said. Kiggans responded with laughter and stated, "That's right.

" Democrats described the remark as racist, noting that Jeffries is Black and that the Southern colloquialism is viewed by some as a racial insult. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Kiggans must immediately apologize for agreeing with the comments and argued she is unfit to represent her district.

A former Democratic member of Congress now challenging Kiggans called the comments disgusting and beneath any elected official. Kiggans addressed the criticism in a post on X. She wrote that the radio host should not have used that language and that she does not and did not condone it.

Kiggans added that it was obvious to anyone listening that she was agreeing Jeffries should stay out of Virginia. She accused Democrats of distorting her words to distract from their losses and said they were trying to destroy the state's court system because they disagreed with its ruling.

The episode comes as Kiggans is a top target for Democrats in the 2026 midterm elections. She faces a rematch against the Democrat she defeated in 2022. The redistricting dispute remains unresolved, with the court decision standing for now.

Background on the Redistricting Dispute Virginia has been the site of repeated fights over congressional maps following the 2020 census. Democrats pushed for new boundaries that they argued better reflected the state's changing demographics. The state Supreme Court rejected the latest Democratic-backed map, prompting some in the party to call for changes to the court itself.

Republicans have opposed those efforts, saying Democrats are attempting to rig the system after losing in court. The radio discussion centered on whether out-of-state Democrats like Jeffries should weigh in on these local matters. Herrera argued that Jeffries and other New Yorkers should either relocate and run for office or refrain from involvement.

Kiggans' agreement with that sentiment, even as she later disavowed the specific phrasing, became the focal point of the backlash.

In her social media statement, Kiggans sought to separate her policy position from the host's wording. She emphasized that Democrats were using the clip to create a distraction ahead of future elections. The lawmaker said the real danger was Democrats' attempts to undermine the Virginia Supreme Court after it ruled against their preferred map.

Democrats rejected that explanation. They pointed to Kiggans' laughter and affirmative response during the live interview as evidence of endorsement. The controversy has intensified calls for her to step down from her seat representing Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.

>"The radio host should not have used that language and I do not -and did not - condone it. " — Rep. Jen Kiggans on X, May 2026 (Newsweek) The story continues to develop with further reactions expected from both parties.