Washington — Rep. Mike Lawler, a New York Republican in a tight race for reelection, apologized for wearing blackface as part of a Michael Jackson costume when he was in college.

New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler acknowledged that he darkened his face as part of a Michael Jackson costume, which he called an “homage”, after The New York Times reported that he wore blackface as a college student in 2006.

The lawmaker apologized for the photo and said he intended the costume to be "the sincerest form of flattery."