SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The actress who appeared in a controversial campaign ad for Michigan senatorial candidate Pete Hoekstra says it was "absolutely a mistake" to take the role.
Lisa Chan, a 21-year-old who lives near San Francisco, said Wednesday she hopes to be forgiven for appearing in the commercial some say reinforces cultural stereotypes, the Detroit Free Press reported Thursday.
"I am deeply sorry for any pain that the character I portrayed brought to my communities," Chan said on her Facebook page.
"As a recent college grad who has spent time working to improve communities and empower those without a voice, this role is not in any way representative of who I am. It was absolutely a mistake on my part and one that, over time, I hope can be forgiven," she added.
The 30-second spot attacking Rep. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., features Chan as a young woman of Asian ancestry riding a bicycle through a field, the Grand Rapids Press reported.
She stops and addresses the camera in halted English.
"Debbie spend so much American money, you borrow more and more, from us," the woman says. "Your economy get very weak. Ours get very good. We take your jobs.
"Thank you, Debbie 'Spenditnow.'"
The ad then cuts to Republican Hoekstra sitting by a fire.
"I think this race is between Debbie 'Spenditnow' and Pete 'Spenditnot.' I'm Pete 'Spenditnot' Hoekstra and I approve this message," he says.
