Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Katie McGinty is apologizing for using an expletive to describe her Republican opponent, Pat Toomey, in Pennsylvania's closely watched race.

McGinty called Toomey an "asshole" during a news conference.

She made the comment Monday in Philadelphia while appearing with labor leaders and others calling for an increase in the federal minimum wage. Video of her comment later surfaced online.

McGinty's campaign released a statement Monday quoting her saying she regrets the language she used and apologizes to Toomey.

The Toomey campaign replied on Twitter that it accepted the apology. It noted that her campaign chairman, former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, once called Toomey "a man of uncommon decency."

Toomey is seeking a second term in the November election. The race could tip control of the U.S. Senate.