GOP Rep Jen Kiggans slammed for appearing to endorse racist comment about Hakeem Jeffries

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA: Rep Jen Kiggans is facing backlash after appearing to agree with a radio host’s racially charged remark aimed at House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during a Virginia radio interview.

The controversy erupted after Kiggans joined Richmond’s 'Morning News' with Rich Herrera to discuss Virginia’s ongoing tug-of-war over congressional redistricting.

Jen Kiggans faces backlash over radio remarks

Last month, Jeffries traveled to Virginia several times to campaign for Democrats pushing a “Vote Yes” redistricting referendum. He held events in Richmond, Henrico, and other parts of the state, urging voters to approve a congressional map that heavily favored Democrats.

The referendum ultimately passed in April, but the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the map earlier this month. In recent days, Jeffries has publicly criticized the ruling.

During Kiggans’ interview with Herrera, the host warned the Republican congresswoman that she and fellow GOP Rep Rob Whitman were headed into brutal reelection fights.

“Representative Kiggans, I appreciate you joining us. You’re going to be in for the fight of your life over this,” Herrera said. “Like you said, it’s a revenge seat.”

He continued, “You and Rob Whitman are going to get peppered, and they’re going to throw in so much dark money from out of state. And again, 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 cotton-picking hands off of Virginia,” Herrera added. “That’s right. Ditto. Yes. Yes to that,” Kiggans replied.

Herrera then wrapped up the segment. “Thank you very much, ma’am. I appreciate you joining us here on the program, and we will catch up with you again soon," he said.

Critics slam Jen Kiggans over radio interview

The exchange quickly made waves after clips from the interview spread across social media.

Former Democratic National Committee chair Donna Brazile fumed, “This is some serious dog whistle and sickness. We must demonstrate that America deserves better than this!”

Meanwhile, Punchbowl News reporter Jake Sherman shared a reaction from the Congressional Black Caucus’ campaign arm.

“Jen Kiggans heard a vile racist slur and agreed out loud,  that’s who she is,” CBCPAC spokesman Chris Taylor was quoted as saying. “We’re going to make sure her constituents know she condones this racist crap.”

The controversy landed especially awkwardly for Kiggans because she represents one of Virginia’s more competitive districts, one that backed Joe Biden in 2020 before narrowly flipping to Donald Trump in 2024.

Jen Kiggans denies endorsing controversial remarks

Jen Kiggans later issued a statement insisting she was not endorsing the phrase itself.

“This is precisely what’s wrong with Democrats,” Kiggans said. “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.”

“The radio host should not have used that language, and I do not -and did not – condone it,” she continued. “It was obvious to anyone listening that I was agreeing Hakeem Jefferies should stay out of Virginia.”

Kiggans then pivoted back to the broader redistricting fight. “Democrats are trying to destroy Virginia’s court because they disagree with it. THAT is the real danger to our country," she concluded.

But that explanation did little to calm critics.

Virginia congressional candidate Olivia Troye fired back on X: “Jen Kiggans, this is 'what’s wrong with Democrats' is bulls**t. You know exactly what you were doing when you went along with this racist stunt against Hakeem Jeffries.”

“The fact that you think saying this makes it better is what makes you so pathetic,” Troye added. “Virginia deserves better.”

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