Amid mounting criticism, Michigan state Rep. Bettie Cook Scott has apologized for referring to her Asian primary opponent, state Rep. Stephanie Chang, as ching-chong.

She issued the apology after 19 groups called on her to do so in a Tuesday statement.

I humbly apologize to Rep. Chang and to her husband, Mr. Gray, and to the broader Asian American community, Scott said in a statement through her attorney Bill Noakes, the Detroit Free Press reports. We live in a time of increasing divisiveness. As a state representative, I should never do anything to contribute to an atmosphere of divisiveness and for that, I am terribly sorry.

Chang and Scott both ran in the Democratic primary for the state Senate. Chang won with 49 percent of the vote, and Scott earned 11 percent.