U.S. Senate candidate refers to Senator Schumer as 'that Jew'
Kim Hendren apologizes for the comment, saying he 'shouldn't have gotten into this Jewish business.'
By The Associated Press Tags: Israel newsA Republican candidate for Senate from Arkansas reportedly referred to Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer as "that Jew" during a recent appearance before a Republican group.
State Senator Kim Hendren said Thursday that he was wrong to refer to Schumer's religious affiliation during a Republican committee meeting last week. Hendren said he doesn't remember the exact wording of his comment, but he was quoted by conservative blogger Jason Tolbert as calling Schumer "that Jew."
"I ought not to have referred to it at all," Hendren said. "When I referred to him as Jewish, it wasn't because I don't like Jewish people."
Hendren said he made the reference as he talked about comments the senior senator made criticizing some elements of the Republican Party.
"I shouldn't have gotten into this Jewish business because it distracts from the issue," Hendren said.
Representatives of Schumer declined to comment on the matter.
Hendren, who once ran for governor as a Democrat against Bill Clinton in 1982, is the only person to have declared their candidacy to challenge Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln in 2010. Hendren is also the minority leader in the state Senate.
Lincoln is seeking a third term in the Senate.
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