"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," Jackson Lee, who is running for Houston mayor, said late Monday, according to The Houston Chronicle.
"I know that I am not perfect," she also said. "I recognize that in my zeal to do everything possible to deliver for my constituents I have in the past fallen short of my own standards and there is no excuse for that."
On Friday, just before early voting for Houston's mayoral election began Monday, the recording was sent to the media.