Congresswoman Running for Houston Mayor Responds After Vulgar Recording Is Leaked: ‘I Am Not Perfect’

Sheila Jackson Lee was heard calling a staffer named Jerome "a fat a--, stupid idiot"

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who is running for mayor of Houston, apologized after a private recording of her berating a staff member leaked.

"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 to exploit this, and backed by extreme Republican supporters on the very day that polls open but from what I've delivered to Houstonians over my years of public service," Jackson Lee said in a statement on Monday.

“I know that I am not perfect,” she said, adding that she has “fallen short of my own standards and there is no excuse for that.”

"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," she continued.

On Tuesday, ABC 13 reported the conversation was believed to be from “at least half a decade ago.”

The outlet reported there are 17 curse words in the recording, which lasted under two minutes. The file has since been shared on various social media platforms.

Related: President Trump Pressures Georgia's Secretary of State to 'Find 11,780 Votes' in Leaked Audio

Jackson Lee’s statement on Monday did not make mention of the alleged employee, a man named Jerome is mentioned in the viral audio.

"When I call Jerome, he's going to be sitting up there like a fat a--, stupid idiot talking about what the f--- he doesn't know. Both of y'all are f--- ups," Jackson Lee said at one point.

"I want each of them to know that the work we accomplish would never be possible without their hard work and dedication," the congresswoman said, in reference to her current staff.

Jackson Lee maintained that despite the recent backlash, if she earns the title of mayor of Houston, she will zero in on issues such as crime and public safety, education, healthcare, affordable housing, and economic development.

"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," her statement added.

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Supporters of Houston mayoral candidate John Whitmire, a Democratic Texas State Senator, were accused of leaking the audio. However, his campaign has denied any involvement.

"To try to accuse our campaign of leaking it is just an attempt to take away attention from what is on the recording,” Whitmire's campaign told ABC 13.

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