Ahead of her run for mayor of Houston, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) has apologized for a leaked audio recording that captured her berating a staff member.
The recording was leaked to ABC 13 on Tuesday and was reported to be from “at least half a decade ago.” According to the outlet, Jackson Lee uses 17 curse words in the under-two-minute conversation.
“To anyone who has listened to this recording with concern, I am regretful and hope you will judge me not by something trotted out by a political opponent, that worked hard to exploit this, and backed by extreme Republican supporters on the very day polls open but from what I’ve delivered to Houstonians over my years of public service,” said Jackson Lee in a statement.
“I know that I am not perfect,” she continued. “At heart, I am someone who tells it straight. I know that as much as that is a strength, it can sometimes be a challenge to balance, but when I fall short, I want the people I represent to know that it is because I’m standing up for them— not me.”
Jackson Lee did not identify the employee she was speaking to, though she does mention someone named Jerome in the audio recording.
“I want each of them to know that the work we accomplish would never be possible without their hard work and dedication,” Jackson Lee said of her current staff.
“I am committed to making Houston a better place for all of us, and the sooner we can refocus on the real issues we face instead of political attacks and stunts, the sooner we can achieve these goals,” she concluded.
Jackson Lee has been known for years to have one of the highest staff turnover rates among all members of Congress.
