New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler acknowledged that he darkened his face as part of a Michael Jackson costume, which he called an “homage”, after The New York Times reported that he wore blackface as a college student in 2006.

U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler said he was sorry Thursday after the New York Times obtained photos of him wearing blackface about two decades ago at a college Halloween costume party where he dressed as Michael Jackson.

New York Rep. Mike Lawler – a freshman Republican hoping to defend his battleground congressional seat in the Hudson Valley – admitted to once donning blackface, The New York Times reports. The 38-year-old Lawler darkened his skin and dressed up as Michael Jackson for Halloween while he was a