Stapleton apologizes to Gov. for slur

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton, D-Albuquerque, apologized to Gov. Susana Martinez and New Mexicans for what many have considered a racial slur against the governor.

"Ladies and gentleman, I lost it, and I'm sorry," Stapleton told reporters.

Stapleton called a press conference at 2 p.m. Thursday, telling reporters she has been under a lot of stress and attacks from Republicans and that's why she lost her cool. News 13 was not invited or informed.

Stapleton came under fire for accusing Rep. Nora Espinoza, R-Roswell, of " carrying the Mexican's water on the fourth floor ." The heated exchange between the two lawmakers erupted a month after News 13 investigative reporter Larry Barker revealed Stapleton, who is a well-paid APS administrator, violated district policy for years by collecting her APS salary while she was doing her legislative work at the Roundhouse.

But when Superintendent Winston Brooks changed the rules for Stapleton after the fact, Espinoza called for an investigation into Brooks' actions.

"He's covering corruption," Espinoza said in a News 13 interview last month.

Stapleton told News 13 on Wednesday she was not referring to anyone when she made the 'Mexican' comment.

"New Mexicans can figure that out for themselves," said Gov. Susana Martinez. "When she starts talking about the fourth floor, I think they can figure it out for themselves."

Martinez said Stapleton should aim her apologies to the people of New Mexico.

"It's already become a national story and New Mexicans deserve better," said Martinez. "Often, I'm introduced as the first Hispanic female governor in the country and it's something that I'm proud of. To talk about someone's ethnicity in such a negative way, it's wrong. That's not New Mexico."

Espinoza said Stapleton also apologized to her late Thursday afternoon.

Stapleton definitely said she will not step down from her position as Democratic whip, the third most powerful position in the House, despite calls from the state Republican Party to do so.

Superintendent Brooks said Stapleton's comments were "totally unacceptable" and reminded employees in a district-wide letter sent Thursday that they're role models. Brooks did not say if Stapleton will be disciplined in any way.

Stapleton and her staff did not return repeated calls and e-mails about why News 13 was excluded from the news conference.