'I'm A First Officer': MN Republican Calls Delta Pilot A 'Stewardess'

ST. PAUL, MN — A Republican Minnesota state senator made an embarrassing mistake Thursday when he referred to a senior pilot as a "stewardess."

Laura Haynor testified in a Senate Labor Committee hearing Tuesday on proposed modifications to the state's recently implemented "earned sick and safe time" law. Haynor identified herself as a first officer for Dela Airlines in her introduction and wore her pilot uniform.

After some discussion, Dornink — a Republican from Brownsdale — asked if Haynor could "tell me what a typical work week looks like for you as a stewardess?"

"I'm a first officer for Delta," Haynor responded.

"Pardon me?" Dornink said.

"I'm a pilot," Haynor said.

"I'm sorry, I apologize," Dornink said. "I don't know why I said that, I'm so sorry."

Heartland Signal shared a clip of the interaction on social media.