Krystle Matthews apologizes for leaked audio while calling on others to apologize too
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCIV) — On Thursday, State Representative Krystle Matthews apologized for the language she used in a leaked call last week.
"I apologize for my language in this private conversation and for offending my fellow Democrats," she said.
Her statements came from a press conference Thursday from the steps of the South Carolina State House. She said a mentor helped her see how some of her words may have offended others.
Days after her runoff victory to become the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, the lawmaker was forced to address leaked audio of a controversial phone call with an inmate earlier in the year.
Project Veritas, a far-right activist organization, initially released the audio, which appeared to capture Matthews calling for Democratic “secret sleepers” to run in Republican primaries. She also mentioned nefarious fundraising methods, allegedly implying she'd accept “dope money” donated under the names of drug dealers' family members.
Matthews said she's made a formal request with the FCC to audit her campaign because she "as absolutely nothing to hide."
Matthews also called on her opponent Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) to apologize for his recent voting record, including, she said, voting against Ketanji Brown Jackson as the next Supreme Court Justice, and voting against a woman's right to choose. She was asked the Republican party to apologize for nominating an "unqualified" candidate and more.
Lastly, she "welcomed" the person who leaked the audio to come forward and apologize for violating the inmate's privacy. She wants an investigation into who was responsible.
She said Democrats need to rally behind each other, not "based on personal relationship, but based on a common goal."
In an interview with The Associated Press, Matthews stated that the voice in the recording was hers. However, she said the edited snippets captured a “tongue-in-cheek” exchange that didn't reflect the full picture.
She is set to face current Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) in November.
