Democratic lawmakers are calling for GOP Rep. Jen Kiggans to resign after she appeared to agree with a claim that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries should get his "cotton-picking hands off of Virginia."
Controversy ensued during an interview Kiggans gave to radio commentator Rich Herrera on Monday. There, he criticized Jeffries' involvement in an effort to redraw Virginia's congressional maps to favor Democrats, as both parties continue to engage in such initiatives to gain an edge in Congress.
"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," Herrera said during a passage of the interview, according to Axios.
"That's right. Ditto. Yes. Yes, to that," Kiggans said. After facing swift backlash and calls to resign, the lawmaker said "It was obvious to anyone listening that I was agreeing Hakeem Jefferies should stay out of Virginia." She went on to acknowledge that Herrera "should not have used that language and I do not -and did not - condone it."
"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," Kiggans added. "Democrats are trying to destroy Virginia's court because they disagree with it. THAT is the real danger to our country."
Former Rep. Elaine Luria, running to unseat Kiggans in the next elections, said in a social media post that the "acist comments proudly endorsed today 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."
The racist comments proudly endorsed today 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.
— Elaine Luria (@ElaineLuria) May 11, 2026
"I grew up in the South. I know what these racist dog whistles mean," she added. "These comments come at a time when the Supreme Court and Republican controlled state legislatures are disenfranchising Black voters and wiping out Black representation across southern states, which Jen Kiggans applauds. She should immediately and publicly apologize and denounce these racist remarks that have no place in our Commonwealth or our politics."
House Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar also said "Rep. Kiggans must apologize then get the hell out of the House."
