U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif., faced criticism for doing a stereotypical Native American gesture during a California Democratic Party event and has since apologized.

Sanchez, who announced her U.S. Senate bid to succeed Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, made a gesture referencing the Native American whooping cry on May 16. She made the noise and hand gesture in an attempt to make a joke about the difference between Native Americans and Indian-Americans.

On Sunday, she spoke about the incident to reporters and delegates attending the state's Democratic convention.

Sanchez explained to a reporter that she received a call from someone about "having help for the Indian community, and I thought he meant the American Indian community in the sense of the Native American Indian community." She did not immediately address the hand gesture but later added, "I think that Native Americans have an incredibly bright history and a great presence in our country and many of them are supporting our election."

The congresswoman gave a different response to the convention's attendees.

"It's hard to put yourself out there and to do what leaders need to do -- day in and day out -- and yes, sooner or later we make mistakes," said Sanchez. "In this crazy and exciting rush of meetings yesterday, I said something offensive and for that I sincerely apologize."

Sanchez's Senate opponent for the Democratic Party's nomination for Boxer's Senate seat was almost left speechless about the representative's actions.

"I don't know what to say to that, except that that's shocking," said Kamala Harris, who currently serves as California's attorney general.

The video was recorded and published by Uduak-Joe Ntuk, who was attending the Democratic convention during the weekend. While Ntuk told The Los Angeles Times he has not chosen a Senate candidate to support, a Facebook post from February showed his support in fundraising Harris' campaign.

Ntuk's post, which featured a photo of him with Harris, read, "Thank you to everyone who came out tonight in support of Kamala Harris for US Senate!!! Great turnout and we exceeded our fundraising goal!!!"

Ntuk was later candid about his involvement in her fundraisers in the past since he is the president of the Long Beach Democratic Cub. He said he has not been paid or volunteered for Harris' Senate campaign.

Sanchez, currently serving her 10th term in the House of Representatives, announced her Senate bid on May 14. Democrats are expected to win Boxer's vacant senate seat in 2016. Democratic candidates have consistently been victorious in California as the political party controls the statewide offices and both Legislature chambers.

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.