Democrat Rep. Jackson Lee says 'regretful' about tirade at staffer, 'political opponent' leaked tape

Texas Democrat Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has apologized for a profanity-laced rant against a staffer that was made public this past weekend but says the leaked audio was the work of a political opponent.

"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. 

The recording captured Jackson calling the staffer and somebody else in her congressional office "f*ck-ups" and saying "nobody knows a goddamn thing in my office."

Jackson Lee is known to have among the worst staff turnover rates on Capitol Hill.

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