Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) is facing calls to resign from Democratic colleagues who say she expressed agreement with a radio host's remark that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) should get his "cotton-picking hands off of Virginia."
Why it matters: Kiggans, who denied agreeing with or condoning the language, is facing one of the most hotly contested reelection battles in the country.
- "First they gutted the Voting Rights Act. Now they are using brazenly racist language to attack Black leaders," House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) said in a post on X, calling for Kiggans to "immediately apologize and resign."
- Rep. Greg Meeks (D-N.Y.), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus PAC and a close ally of Jeffries, told Axios in a text message that he also thinks Kiggans should resign.
- Kiggans posted that the host "should not have used that language and I do not -and did not - condone it," adding, "It was obvious to anyone listening that I was agreeing Hakeem Jefferies [sic] should stay out of Virginia."
The latest: Jeffries spokesperson Christie Stephenson said in a statement Tuesday morning, "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."
- "It was a stunning failure of judgment and leadership for a so-called moderate Member of Congress," Stephenson said.
- "The voters of Virginia will hold her accountable at the ballot box in November."
Driving the news: Richmond-based radio commentator Rich Herrera, during an interview with Kiggans on Monday, criticized Jeffries' involvement in an effort to redraw Virginia's congressional maps in Democrats' favor.
- "He spent $20 million-plus on our redistricting debacle we had. He now is talking about ... firing our Supreme Court justices," Herrera said. (A Jeffries-aligned non-profit, House Majority Forward, spent nearly $40 million on Virginia's redistricting initiative).
- Herrera continued: "If Hakeem Jeffries wants to be involved in Virginia politics, then I suggest he ... 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."
- "That's right. Ditto. Yes. Yes, to that," Kiggans replied.
What they're saying: Former Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), who is running to unseat Kiggans, said in a post on X, "The racist comments proudly endorsed today by Jen Kiggans ... are disgusting and beneath any elected official."
- House Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) wrote in a post on X: "Rep. Kiggans must apologize then get the hell out of the House."
- "What Kiggans said is disgusting, and I join the whip's call for her to resign," Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), a Black Caucus member, said in a statement to Axios.
- Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) said: "Apologize and get out or you will be shown the door in November."
One House Democrat, Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), said that if Kiggans doesn't resign, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) "should censure her and strip her of her committee assignments immediately."
- That is highly unlikely to happen, as Johnson has avoided such action in cases of more egregious allegations.
The other side: Kiggans said in her post on X, "This is precisely what's wrong with Democrats. 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."
- "Democrats are trying to destroy Virginia's court because they disagree with it. THAT is the real danger to our country," she added.
- Will Kiley, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement: "Democrats' performative outrage over this total nothing-burger is completely selective and driven by politics, not principle."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comments from the NRCC and a Jeffries spokesperson, as well as a post from Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.).
