Mark Kirk's 'Bro With No Ho' Gaffe Latest Misstep
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Republican Sen. Mark Kirk's derogatory comment about women has ignited a political firestorm, and despite his apology, the issue isn't going away.
A hot mic captured Kirk making a comment about Senate colleague Lindsey Graham: "He's a bro, with no ho."
It's the latest comment to land Kirk in hot water. He made the remark, not knowing that a nearby microphone was turned on, during a Senate Committee Hearing Thursday in reference to Graham, who is not married.
News of Kirk's remark quickly spread and so did criticism.
A Kirk spokeswoman says the senator apologized for the comment, adding it was a joke between friends.
Kirk's challengers don't find it amusing.
"This wasn't a misstep. This wasn't, 'He said the wrong words." This was him thinking it was funny, and it just shows he's disconnected from critical constituencies," said Andrea Zopp, a Democrat who could challenge Kirk in the 2016 Senate election.
"They're just inappropriate and wrong," said Zopp. "We need leadership in the Senate who understand that you can't demean women in that way. It's not funny, even if he meant it as a joke."
The comment even caught Gov Bruce Rauner, a strong Kirk supporter, off guard.
"I heard about Senator Kirk's comments," Rauner said. "Um, inappropriate. My understanding is he has apologized. That is the right thing to do. And that's all I'm going to say about it."
In a statement, a spokesperson for Kirk's other Democratic challenger, Tammy Duckworth said: "Senator Kirk's 'joke' is as offensive as it is unfunny."
As for Kirk himself, CBS 2 tried to reach him, but his office said he was traveling and unavailable for an interview.
Kirk has a history of gaffes. Some came after he suffered a stroke, but not all of them.
During his successful bid for the Senate, after serving for years in the House, reports surfaced that Kirk has exaggerated his military record.
In 2013, he also called for the mass arrest of thousands of gang members in Chicago.