Full Breakdown
Virginia Rep. Jen Kiggans’ Radio Remarks Spark Controversy Amid Redistricting Battle
5/13/2026, 9:00:37 AM
Radio Remarks Ignite Controversy
On May 11 2026, Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) appeared on “Richmond’s Morning News” with host Rich Herrera. Herrera 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. If not, get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia.” Kiggans replied, “That’s right. Ditto. Yes, yes to that.” The exchange was posted by the opposition-research group American Bridge and quickly circulated on X.
Redistricting Background and Legal Battles
In April 2026, Virginia voters approved a Democratic-drawn congressional map by a 51.7 % margin, with more than three million votes cast. The map would have shifted four Republican-held seats to Democrats, directly affecting Kiggans’ 2nd district. On May 8 2026, the Virginia Supreme Court invalidated the referendum, ruling the ballot-process unconstitutional. Democrats have filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court. The dispute occurs alongside a national mid-decade redistricting push spurred by the Trump administration and a late-April U.S. Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Key Players
- Jen Kiggans – Republican congresswoman, former Navy helicopter pilot.
- Hakeem Jeffries – House Minority Leader (D-NY), highest-ranking Black lawmaker in Congress.
- Rich Herrera – Conservative radio host on WRVA.
- Christie Stephenson – Jeffries’ spokesperson.
- Katherine Clark – House Minority Whip (D-MA).
- Gavin Newsom – Governor of California (D).
- Elaine Luria – Democratic challenger for Kiggans’ seat.
- Congressional Black Caucus – Legislative bloc representing Black members of Congress.
Timeline
- April 2026 – Voter-approved redistricting map passes (51.7 %).
- May 8 2026 – Virginia Supreme Court strikes down the map.
- May 11 2026 – Kiggans’ radio interview; Herrera’s remark and Kiggans’ “Ditto” response recorded.
- May 11-12 2026 – American Bridge releases clip; Democratic leaders issue statements.
- May 12 2026 – Kiggans posts X statement denying condonation of the phrase.
- May 12-13 2026 – Calls for resignation intensify; interview removed from station archives.
- Nov 2026 – Midterm elections; Kiggans’ race rated “toss-up” by the Cook Political Report.
Data and Statistics
- Voter approval of the map: 51.7 % (? 3 million votes).
- Seats potentially shifted by the map: four Republican seats.
- Cook Political Report rating for Kiggans’ race: toss-up.
Official Statements and Responses
Jeffries’ office, via Stephenson, labeled the language “disgusting, vile and racist” and accused Kiggans of “craving a return to the days of Jim Crow oppression.” Katherine Clark condemned the remark as a continuation of attacks on Black leaders and urged Kiggans to resign. Governor Newsom echoed the call for resignation, describing the comment as “brazenly racist.” The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee demanded an immediate apology and resignation. Kiggans responded on X that the host “should not have used that language” and that she was only agreeing that Jeffries should stay out of Virginia politics, framing Democratic criticism as “lies” and “election-rigging” accusations.
Criticism and Opposition
Democratic leaders—including Clark, Newsom, the Congressional Black Caucus, and Luria—characterized the exchange as a racist dog-whistle and called for Kiggans’ resignation. The DCCC and several House Democrats issued public statements demanding accountability. No Republican leader offered a contrary statement.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
The interview clip was removed from WRVA’s archive, limiting public verification of the full exchange. Kiggans denied endorsing the phrase but did not issue a formal apology, creating a discrepancy between her claim of non-condonation and the perception of endorsement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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. If not, get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia.” — Rich Herrera
- “That’s right. Ditto. Yes, yes to that,” — Jen Kiggans
- “extremists who endorse disgusting, vile and racist language are pathetic.” — Christie Stephenson, Jeffries’ spokesperson
- “First they gutted the Voting Rights Act. Now they are using brazenly racist language to attack Black leaders,” — Katherine Clark
- “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.” — Elaine Luria
- “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.” — Jen Kiggans
What’s Next
The Virginia Supreme Court’s ruling keeps the current congressional map in place, preserving Kiggans’ district. Democrats continue to pursue a U.S. Supreme Court review of the map’s invalidation. The controversy is expected to influence campaign narratives as both parties vie for control of the House in the November 2026 midterms.
