| Congresswoman Jen Kiggans continues to face backlash for agreeing with racist remarks during a radio interview. In response to the racist remarks, Kiggans said: “That’s right. Ditto. Yes, yes to that.”
Yesterday, local Black elected leaders spoke out and called on Kiggans to apologize for agreeing with the racist remarks. Kiggans has refused to apologize.
ANCHOR: “Tonight, growing fallout for Congresswoman Jen Kiggans. Black lawmakers in Hampton Roads gathered to publicly condemn comments she appeared to support during a radio interview on Monday.”
READ:
- A growing political backlash is unfolding in Hampton Roads after comments made during a recent podcast interview involving Rep. Jen Kiggans sparked outrage among Black lawmakers and community leaders across Virginia’s Second Congressional District.
- At a Wednesday press conference outside Kiggans’ Virginia Beach office, several Democratic state lawmakers accused the congresswoman of failing to condemn language they described as racially offensive after a radio interview earlier this week.
- The controversy stems from remarks made during a podcast appearance with WVRA radio host Rich Herrera. During a discussion about House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Virginia redistricting politics, Herrera said Jeffries should keep his “cotton-picking hands” off Virginia politics. Kiggans responded, “That’s right. Ditto. Yes to that.”
- Critics argue the phrase carries racist historical connotations tied to slavery and should have been immediately denounced by the congresswoman.
- “Congresswoman Kiggans had a moment where leadership mattered, and Congresswoman Kiggans failed,” said Del. Michael Feggans during Wednesday’s press conference.
- Feggans accused Kiggans of “deny, deflect, defend” behavior and argued that Virginia has spent decades attempting to move beyond racist imagery and rhetoric tied to the Jim Crow era.
- Joining Feggans at the event were State Senator Aaron Rouse and Delegates Nadarius Clark and Cliff Hayes.
- The lawmakers called on Kiggans to publicly apologize to Black constituents in Virginia’s Second District, where Black voters make up roughly a quarter of the electorate. […]
- As of Wednesday evening, Kiggans’ office had not responded to requests for additional comment.
|
