Posted Wednesday, September 12, 2012 --- 7:40 a.m.

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson says it was a mistake for an aide to send a message about Democratic opponent Tammy Baldwin dancing at a gay pride festival.

Thompson says his political director, Brian Nemoir, "shouldn't' have done it."

Nemoir sent the email and tweet in advance of Baldwin's speech at the Democratic National Convention last week.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://bit.ly/S8HLRv) reports Thompson spoke to reporters Tuesday after appearing at a luncheon of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee.

Baldwin is looking to become the first openly gay candidate elected to the Senate.

Baldwin spokesman John Kraus criticized Thompson for remaining silent until now about "the divisive, personal attack his own campaign launched."

Thompson's campaign consultant said Nemoir acted on his own and was not representing the Thompson campaign.

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Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.