Rep. Kiggans criticized for agreeing with hosts Jeffries remark

Republican U.S. Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia faced widespread criticism from Democrats on Monday after agreeing with a radio host's remark telling House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to keep his "cottonpicking hands" off Virginia politics. The exchange occurred during an interview on Richmond's Morning News, amid a heated state battle over congressional redistricting.

Host Rich Herrera, discussing Jeffries' support for a Democratic-backed map, said: "If Hakeem Jeffries wants to be involved in Virginia politics, then I suggest he does what a bunch of New Yorkers are doing. Leave New York, move down here to Virginia, run for office down here, you can represent us. If not, get your cottonpicking hands off of Virginia." Kiggans replied, "That's right. Ditto. Yes. Yes to that."

The phrase "cottonpicking" drew condemnation for its historical ties to the era of slavery, when enslaved Black Americans picked cotton under brutal conditions. Jeffries, a New York Democrat and the first Black leader of a congressional party caucus, had backed Virginia Democrats' efforts to redraw maps favoring their party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Kiggans represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional...