Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada, a contender to take over for 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, is speaking out about a controversial tweet.

CHICAGO (WLS) — A candidate running for the soon-to-be-vacant 35th Ward aldermanic position is under scrutiny for an offensive social media post made years ago.

Cook County Commissioner Anthony Quezada spoke to some City Council members Friday to address their concerns.

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Quezada is on an apology tour over a social media post that has resurfaced.

“I engaged in a Twitter conversation with friends when I was 18 years old, still in high school. We used inappropriate language to address each other and our friends, and I deeply regret that. There is no justification for it,” Quezada stated.

Quezada wants to replace 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, who the mayor has tapped to head the Chicago Park District.

Now, Quezada is having to explain the now-deleted tweet, in which he used a racial slur, to members of the City Council’s Black Caucus.

“Disheartening and extremely problematic,” said Ald. Stephanie Coleman, chair of the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus.

Coleman hosted a meeting Friday to allow a number of fellow alders to personally hear from Quezada.

“I appreciate his bravery in addressing the largest and most influential caucus in the City Council. It takes courage. It reflects positively on his character as an adult now, but further steps need to be taken,” Coleman expressed.

Two years ago, Quezada publicly addressed the tweet when it first resurfaced.

“I asked him to send me how he addressed it, and the text that I saw or the post that I saw, he said, I regret saying it. He never apologized. He never said, ‘I’m sorry,'” 17th Ward Ald. David Moore said.

“It is not a reflection of my values and character even then. But it was a regrettable mistake, you know. It was insensitive,” Quezada said.

Alderman Chris Taliaferro’s 29th Ward is partially in Quezada’s District, and they regularly work together.

“I think as he, you know, is considered for this position, we need to consider the whole of the person, not just a small fragment of his life and a very small fragment of what he’s stood for,” Taliaferro said.

On Sunday, a local political organization will be hosting a meeting in the 35th Ward, during which candidates can make their case to the community. Quezada says he will be there, and he may have to address this controversy once again.