A Republican congresswoman from Virginia is defending herself amid requires her to resign after she agreed with a radio host’s comment referring to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ “cotton-picking hands.”
The comment was made throughout Rep. Jen Kiggans’ look on “Richmond’s Morning News” on Monday to speak about her state’s redistricting battle. During the interview, radio host Rich Herrera stated Jeffries, who’s Black, ought to “get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia.”
“That’s right,” Kiggans stated in response. “Ditto.”
Later Monday, Kiggans, in a submit on X, stated she doesn’t “condone” Herrera’s language however described the backlash as a “lie and distortion” from Democrats.
“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 stated.
She continued, “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 Jefferies (sic) should stay out of Virginia.”
Merriam-Webster notes that the time period is “widely considered offensive” because it calls again to work enslaved Black individuals had been compelled to do in cotton fields.
NCS has reached out to the places of work of Kiggans and Jeffries, in addition to to Herrera.
The redistricting battle within the state continued Monday after Virginia Democrats asked the US Supreme Court to reinstate a congressional map that voters authorised in a referendum. Last week, the state’s Supreme Court voided the map, which might have helped Democrats win as much as 4 extra House seats on this 12 months’s midterm elections.
Kiggans’ radio show feedback drew swift criticism from Democrats, together with some who’re calling on her to resign.
Rep. Katherine Clark, the No. 2 Democrat within the House, stated, Kiggans “should immediately apologize and resign.” Jeffries reposted Clark’s submit.
Similarly, Rep. Pete Aguilar, who can also be a part of House Democratic management, stated, “This racist rhetoric is absolutely disqualifying from a Member of Congress. Rep. Kiggans must apologize then get the hell out of the House.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Yvette Clarke, the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, responded on to Kiggans’ submit defending herself, saying, “No matter what you say now, the fact is that you did not say a thing then — and that is precisely what’s wrong with Republicans!”
Jeffries “deserves an apology, and the people of Virginia deserve better than bigots and their enablers,” Clarke added.