Hartford Democrat and House of Delegates representative Mary Ann Lisanti has apologised for using the n-word at a smoking bar last month to describe her campaigning in Maryland's Prince George's County on behalf of another candidate.
Lisanti was removed from her post as chairwoman of a local subcommittee by House Speaker Michael Busch after being accused of "a blatant act of racism" by Maryland House of Delegates black caucus chairman Darryl Barnes over her words.
The lawmaker profusely apologised for her "word choice several weeks ago", saying the comments did "not represent" her beliefs and that she was "sickened that a word that is not in my vocabulary came out of my mouth."
However, she earlier admitted to the Washington Post that she was "sure" she had used the N-word before. "I'm sure everyone has used it," she said. At the same time, Lisanti said she couldn't "recall much" from the evening in question where she reportedly made the comment.
Busch said Lisanti had agreed to take sensitivity training.
Social media users are divided over the controversy along political and racial lines, with many insisting that Lisanti needs to resign, and others complaining that her apology was not sufficient.
Others turned the story into an argument between Republicans and Democrats, or somehow managed to spin the story into a pro-Trump/anti-Trump debate.
Lisanti was the second East Coast Democrat to face problems over alleged racism in recent weeks. Earlier this month, grass roots organiser Rebecca Keel told Sputnik that Virginia Democratic Governor Ralph Northam should resign following the emergence of a yearbook photo of him in a picture with two people, one in blackface and the other sporting a Ku Klux Klan hood and robes.