NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee Democratic Party Chairwoman Mary Mancini has apologized for calling the state racist recently while promoting less conventional candidates.
The Tennessean reports Mancini said she used the wrong words during a recent tour of local county Democratic parties.
Mancini's comment came while she was saying the state party should continue to promote minority, millennial and LGBTQ candidates.
In a statement to the USA Today Network-Tennessee, Mancini said "In the heat and the frustration of seeing and hearing the constant drumbeat of bigotry, misogyny and homophobia coming from the Republicans at the state legislature, I used a poor choice of words and vented my frustration and I apologize."
Mancini said her words didn't represent how she or other members of the state Democratic Party view Tennessee residents.