A Republican candidate for the Maine House of Representatives is apologizing for pushing a debunked conspiracy theory about the Texas school shooter.
Heather Anne Sprague is running for House District 43, which represents Cushing, Thomaston, and other parts of the Midcoast.
On Wednesday, she posted a false claim on Facebook that the shooter was a transgender person who was "brainwashed" by liberal teachers and that the shooting was the result.
On Thursday, she posted an apology, writing in part, "I let my concern and some false information get the best of me."
Her opponent, Democratic incumbent Ann Matlack, put out a statement saying, "To imply that those in that school brought it on themselves is irresponsible and callous."
Both candidates will face off this fall.