A Republican representative has apologised after making questionable remarks about her Democratic opponent being gay and black.
Amy Grant, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, was speaking with a prospective donor when she made disparaging comments about Ken Mejia-Beal, who is openly homosexual and African-American.
On Tuesday, her comments were leaked to the media by Mejia-Beal's caucus.
"He's just another one of those Cook County people. That's all you're going to vote for is the Cook County, you know - another Black caucus," Grant was recorded saying.
She went on to blast her opponent, saying: "I'm afraid he's afraid of the reaction people might give him, not because he's black but because of the way he talks. He's all LGBTQ."
Mejia-Beal's caucus refused to release the full audio or the date of when the call was made, reports the Chicago Sun Times.
Hours after the calls were leaked, Grant released a statement saying her comments did not reflect her heart or her faith.
"I deeply regret the comments I made about Ken Mejia-Beal, and reached out to apologise to him this morning," she said on Facebook. "These comments do not reflect my heart or my faith."
Mejia-Beal quickly called out Grant's apology, tweeting a statement on what he called her "bigoted comments".
"Representative Grant makes it clear that she sees only the color of my skin and my sexual orientation," Mejia-Beal said. "And that, in her mind, disqualifies me as a leader and even disqualifies me as a member of our community."
Mejia-Beal added to his frustration saying "Where is Representative Grant's apology to those who hear her comments and wonder if they fit into her vision of our community?" he asked.
"Where is the apology to all whose faith calls them to love their neighbors as themselves?"
Grant's comments also affected those close to her.
Republican representative Will Davis told the media he once considered Grant a friend, but now second-guesses their relationship.
"Grant makes it real clear that, in her opinion, some people do not deserve to be a part of the community or to represent that community in the General Assembly," he is quoted as saying by LGBTQ focused news site Queerty. "That, indeed, is appalling."
Equality Illinois, an organisation which supports LGBTQ people, is demanding Grant drop out of the election, saying she is unfit to represent her constituents.
"Homophobia and bigotry must have no home anywhere in Illinois," the organisation posted to Facebook.
