House Democrat apologizes for racial slur during budget hearing

During a House Budget Committee hearing Thursday, Maryland Democratic Rep. David Trone dropped a racially offensive term.

The incident occurred when Mr. Trone was engaging with Shalanda Young, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, who was providing testimony to the committee.

“So this Republican jigaboo that it’s the tax rate that’s stopping business investment, it’s just completely faulty by people who have never run a business,” he said. “They’ve never been there. They don’t have a clue what they’re talking about.”

Amid the high stakes of what is anticipated to be one of the year’s most scrutinized Senate races, Mr. Trone, the Democratic front-runner in Maryland, has expressed his regret over what he said was a slip of the tongue.

“Today while attempting to use the word ‘bugaboo’ in a hearing, I used a phrase that is offensive. That word has a long, dark, terrible history. It should never be used any time, anywhere, in any conversation,” Mr. Trone said, according to Fox News.

“I recognize that as a White man, I have privilege. And as an elected official, I have a responsibility for the words I use — especially in the heat of the moment. Regardless of what I meant to say, I shouldn’t have used that language,” he added.

Mr. Trone appears to be leading in fundraising and polling in the Democratic primary race. His main opponent is Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks.

November’s general election may present Mr. Trone with a substantial opponent in Republican Larry Hogan, Maryland’s previous governor. While initial surveys pointed to a closely contested battle, more recent findings from a Washington Post/University of Maryland poll suggest Mr. Hogan has a significant lead.