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 first-term Westchester lawmaker, who’s locked in a tight reelection fight, admits it was a mistake to don the offensive dark makeup at a 2006 Halloween party while he was a student at

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler said he was sorry after the New York Times obtained photos of him wearing blackface about two decades ago at a college Halloween costume party where he dressed as Michael Jackson.