ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – A political debate over Virginia’s ongoing redistricting fight is now sparking a larger conversation about race and accountability after Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-2) agreed with a controversial remark made during a radio interview Monday.
During an appearance on “Richmond’s Morning News,” radio host Rich Herrera told House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to “get your cotton-picking hands off of Virginia” while discussing the state’s redistricting battle.
Kiggans responded, “That’s right. Ditto.”
The remark quickly drew backlash, including from the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, which is now calling on Kiggans to issue a “real apology.”
“We have a congresswoman from Virginia who says ditto to that,” said Rev. Cozy Bailey, President of the NAACP Virginia State Conference. “We are not only disappointed, but we are also enraged that she would be so insensitive to make that kind of comment.”
The controversy comes as Virginia Democrats continue fighting to restore a congressional map tied to the state’s redistricting battle. Democrats recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reinstate a congressional map approved by voters in a referendum after Virginia’s Supreme Court voided it last week.
Bailey said many people, especially people of color, are already emotionally invested in the redistricting debate, making the comments especially concerning.
“The majority of people who voted for that are feeling very negative feedback from that,” said Bailey. “A large percentage of that are people of color, particularly Black people. And so we are very sensitive in this moment to anything that continues to be oppressive or suppressive to our thoughts.”
Monday night, Kiggans responded to the backlash in a statement to WDBJ7’s sister station in Richmond, WTVR.
“I am agreeing to that Hakeem Jeffries should not be spending his time and effort meddling in Virginia politics. Of course, he never should have used that language, and of course that’s not the sentiment I was agreeing to. And the host should not be using that language,” said Kiggins.
The NAACP said the issue now goes beyond one moment on air and is urging Virginians to make their voices heard at the ballot box.
“We are calling upon each and every person in Virginia to turn out like never before to the midterm elections and cast your vote for who you feel best represents your values,” said Bailey.
As backlash continues to grow, the controversy is fueling broader conversations across Virginia about race, political rhetoric and accountability from elected leaders.
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