Spokesperson says Tennessee Democrat made ‘poor analogy’ in saying South Carolina voters have extra chromosome

A spokesperson for Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) said the Congressman made a “poor analogy” in saying that South Carolina voters have an “extra chromosome.” 

In an interview published Monday by the Nashville Scene, Cooper was asked about why some Democratic Senate candidates could lose the election despite outraising their opponents. In his response, he said that some South Carolina voters had “extra chromosomes.” 

“You’re probably talking about Jaime Harrison, who was an outstanding candidate. But that is South Carolina,” Cooper said. “I’ve said for years that they have extra chromosomes, South Carolina voters.”

“Anybody who could re-elect Lindsey Graham after his two-faced performance on federal judges, they have a tolerance that I can’t imagine,” he added. 

Katie Feldhaus, a spokesperson for Cooper, told The Hill that Cooper used a “poor analogy and he regrets it.” 

“To be clear, he was referring to the legacy of bigots and racists, and a clearly high tolerance for hypocrisy in South Carolina,” she said. 

The Tennessean first reported Feldhaus’ comment.

Some genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome are caused by having an extra chromosome, the Tennessean notes.

Cooper, a Blue Dog Democrat, was reelected to his 16th term this month representing Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. He prevailed over Democrat Keeda Haynes in the primary election in August, and ran unopposed for his seat in the general election.

— Updated 1:35 p.m.