AZ Candidate Apologizes For Saying Shootings Are Committed By Dems

FILE- This Wednesday, April 19, 2006 file photo shows a student as he arrives for classes at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., on the eve of the 7th anniversary of the shooting massacre at the school. Colum... FILE- This Wednesday, April 19, 2006 file photo shows a student as he arrives for classes at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., on the eve of the 7th anniversary of the shooting massacre at the school. Columbine opted not to install metal detectors or turn itself into a fortress after the 1999 tragedy. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski, FILE) MORE LESS
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FLORENCE, Ariz. (AP) — A Republican businessman running for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District has apologized for saying most mass shootings in the U.S. are committed by Democrats.

Gary Kiehne made the remarks at a Republican primary debate Saturday in Florence, southeast of Phoenix. The eastern Arizona rancher said that “99 percent of (mass shootings) have been by Democrats pulling their guns out and shooting people.”

On Monday, Kiehne issued a public apology and said his comments were inaccurate. He says he shouldn’t have made the remarks without any reservations.

Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin is also running for the seat and said Kiehne should leave the race after a pattern of “bizarre and deeply offensive” remarks.

The Aug. 26 primary election will decide who faces incumbent U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democrat.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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