Republican Congresswoman Faces Calls to Resign Over Controversial Remark
Jen Kiggans, a Republican congresswoman representing Virginia’s second US House district, has come under pressure from Democrats to resign after she agreed with a radio host who used the phrase “cotton-picking” in reference to a top US House Democrat.
The incident occurred during a broadcast on Richmond’s Morning News, where conservative radio host Rich Herrera said that Hakeem Jeffries, the first Black American to lead a party in Congress, should keep his “cotton-picking hands off of Virginia.” Kiggans responded affirmatively, stating, “That’s right. Ditto – yes, yes to that.”
Context and Reactions to the Language Used
The phrase “cotton-picking” is widely regarded as offensive due to its association with the history of slavery in the United States, where enslaved Black people were forced to pick cotton. The language drew criticism from multiple sources who labeled it as racist.
“If Hakeem Jeffries wants to be involved in Virginia politics, then I suggest he does what a bunch of New Yorkers are doing,” Herrera said on Monday. “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.”
Following the backlash, Kiggans issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) clarifying her position.
“The radio host should not have used that language and I do not – and did not – condone it. It was obvious to anyone listening that I was agreeing Hakeem Jeffries should stay out of Virginia,” Kiggans stated.
Availability of the Interview and Official Responses
As of Tuesday morning, the interview was no longer accessible on the Richmond’s Morning News archive on the station’s website. Although it was listed on the Richmond’s Morning News podcast feed, attempts to download it were unsuccessful. Audacy, the owner of the radio station airing Richmond’s Morning News, has been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of reporting.
Hakeem Jeffries had not issued a public comment on the matter as of late Monday.
Democratic Leaders Demand Resignation
Several prominent Democrats have condemned Kiggans’ response and called for her resignation. Katherine Clark, the US House minority whip, and Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, publicly criticized the Republican lawmaker.
“Now they are using brazenly racist language to attack Black leaders,” Clark said on X.
“Every Republican should be denouncing this racist statement,” Newsom’s office added.
Additionally, Aaron Rouse, a Democratic Virginia state senator, expressed his dismay in a statement.
“I am deeply appalled by anyone who promotes this rhetoric,” Rouse said. “We are no longer enslaved on plantations. We now hold positions of power our ancestors fought for.”
Political Context and Upcoming Elections
The controversy arises amid a politically charged environment in Virginia and the broader United States. Republicans currently hold narrow majorities in both the US Senate and House of Representatives, with control at stake in the upcoming midterm elections scheduled for November.
Since January 2025, after his second US presidency began, Donald Trump has initiated a national mid-decade redistricting battle between the two major parties, which is also unfolding in Virginia.
On 21 April, Virginia voters approved a new Democratic-drawn congressional map in a special election that had the potential to flip four Republican US House seats. However, on 8 May, the Virginia Supreme Court invalidated the results, siding with a Republican challenge that Democratic lawmakers did not adhere to proper procedures when passing the proposed referendum and placing it on the ballot.
In response, Virginia Democrats requested on Monday that the US Supreme Court reinstate the congressional map designed to enhance their party’s prospects in the November midterms.
Kiggans’ Re-election Campaign
Jen Kiggans is seeking re-election in the November midterms for her seat in Virginia’s second congressional district. Her opponent is a Democrat who previously served on the congressional committee investigating the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol, an event carried out by supporters of Donald Trump following his first presidency, which ended in defeat to Joe Biden.
