Blackface photo shakes up toss-up House district in NY

New York Republican Congressman Michael Lawler is embroiled in controversy over a 2006 Halloween costume, when he dressed in blackface as Michael Jackson.

Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Send tips to chris.pandolfo@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.

"As has been well-documented – most recently by the Daily Beast – I was a so-called 'Super Fan' of Michael Jackson, so much so that I was mentioned by name in his biography for my outspoken support of him and the Jackson Family.  I loved Michael's music, was awed by him as a performer, and by his impact on pop culture," Lawler said in a statement. "One of my greatest memories is attending his concert at Madison Square Garden before his untimely death.  

"When attempting to imitate Michael’s legendary dance moves at a college Halloween party eighteen years ago, the ugly practice of black face was the furthest thing from my mind. Let me be clear, this is not that. Rather, my costume was intended as the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to one of my childhood idols since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom's kitchen.