GOP lawmaker criticized after racist on‑air remark

A Virginia Republican lawmaker is under fire after appearing to agree with a radio host’s racist remark about House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during an on‑air interview.

The backlash followed a Monday, May 11 appearance by Rep. Jen Kiggans, R‑Virginia, on a Richmond radio show, where host Rich Herrera criticized Jeffries, D‑New York, over efforts to redraw Virginia’s congressional maps. After Herrera told Jeffries to "get your cotton‑picking hands off of Virginia" — a phrase widely criticized for its historical ties to slavery — Kiggans replied, "That’s right. Ditto. Yes. Yes to that," triggering swift condemnation and calls from Democrats for her resignation.

Kiggans later said she did not agree with or condone the language, writing on X that Herrera "should not have used that language" and that she was only agreeing that Jeffries should stay out of Virginia politics.

Response from Democratic lawmakers

Kiggans, who is facing a hotly contested reelection battle this year, is facing scrutiny and pressure from Democratic lawmakers to resign.

"First they gutted the Voting Rights Act. Now they are using brazenly racist language to attack Black leaders," House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Massachusetts, said on X, saying Kiggans should "immediately apologize and resign."

Former Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Virginia, who is running against Kiggans, said on X that the "racist comments proudly endorsed by Jen Kiggans warning House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to 'Get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia' are disgusting and beneath any elected official. I grew up in the South. I know what these racist dog whistles mean."

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].