![Representatives Frank Hornstein, Tom Hackbarth, Mike Beard, Duane Quam and Tim Kelly, L to R, listened to Scott Peterson MNDOT director of government affairs testify. Southeast Minnesota citizens and lobbyists filled the room during a joint hearing of the House and Senate energy policy committees, Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at a press conference to talk about frac sand mining. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ATMI6UTDVKRVVZT22AE6BKV2AU.jpg?&w=1080)
ROCHESTER – A state legislator is apologizing after he yanked a microphone from the hand of his Democratic challenger during a forum that was livestreamed over the internet.
Jamie Mahlberg appeared startled when Rep. Duane Quam, R-Byron, grabbed the microphone from her on Monday night. Quam then rebutted a point Mahlberg had made about education funding.
When Quam offered the microphone back, Mahlberg did not take it. Quam then dropped it in front of her.
Video of the incident circulated widely on social media, with some calling Quam's behavior "boorish" or "bullying."
Quam apologized in a Facebook message to the Rochester Post-Bulletin, saying he respects Mahlberg. He says his nerves got the best of him as his responses were timed and he wasn't as graceful as he should have been.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
