PHOENIX — Days after blaming mass shootings in America on Democrats, an Arizona Republican running for office has apologized for the remarks.

Gary Kiehne, who is running for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, made the comments Saturday at a party primary debate in Florence. He said that “99 percent of (mass shootings) have been by Democrats pulling their guns out and shooting people.”

Monday morning, the Springerville rancher’s campaign released the following statement:

“This past weekend, I made a comment about the political affiliation of perpetrators of gun violence in the heat of a debate. I’ve since learned that the information that I based the comment off of was inaccurate and incorrect.

“I’ve always believed that when you make a mistake, you should own up to it. Too many politicians today offer nothing but spin and excuses when they say something they shouldn’t have. I’m not going to do that. Simply put, I shouldn’t have made the comment, and I want to offer my apology for making it without any reservations.”