Former New York state Rep. Mondaire Jones has apologized to Kathy Hockle after saying New York didn't want a “pussy girl” for governor.
“I want the Democratic governor of New York to be a political animal. I want the Democratic Party to exercise its full power,” Jones said. He told The New Yorker In an article published Wednesday.
“I want to nominate Nancy Pelosi for Democratic governor of New York,” he said, referring to Pelosi, the longtime Democratic congresswoman from California and former speaker of the House.
“And she's not the kind of brat who's afraid to stick her neck out.”
Jones is trying to make a comeback by running against first-term Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in the 17th Congressional District, which includes the lower Hudson River basin.
Perhaps realizing that his comments would be taken as an attack on female governors, Jones added to the reporter, “I'm not talking about anybody in particular, by the way.”
But he did some damage control on Wednesday, issuing a statement in which he personally apologised to Hochul and said he should have chosen his words “more wisely”.
Jones was discussing the 2022 redistricting fiasco in which a New York judge invalidated Democrat-drawn congressional districts as overly partisan.
A special commission was appointed to redraw congressional district lines, and Republicans gained five seats.
“I was not talking about the governor, and I was clear during the interview that I was not talking about the governor, but I should have chosen my words more wisely,” Jones said.
“I have spoken with the Governor and apologized for the confusion. The Governor has invested heavily in the Lower Hudson Valley, allowing us to open a field office and hire a great staff that will organize communities throughout the district. I look forward to continuing to work with the Governor to take back the House of Representatives.”
Haukle said he accepted the apology.
“He apologized and I accepted it, although I hadn't read the article. Anyone who wants to apologise can apologise to me and set the record straight,” she said.
Hawkle said he will do everything in his power to help Jones beat Lawler.
“In that district, you see the contrast between Mondaire Jones and Mike Lawler, who supports Donald Trump. Trump supports taking away women's reproductive rights. I know who I'm supporting. It's very clear to me,” Hochle said.
