ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican congressional candidate Mike Parry is taking heat for portraying Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton as a pill popper.

Parry, a state senator, made the comment Monday at a Brown County Republican fundraiser.

A video of Parry’s speech posted online by a New Ulm Journal reporter shows Parry calling Dayton “scary” and saying it’s scary when “you watch him pop 15 to 16 pills when you’re having a meeting.” He emphasized the importance of keeping Republican control of the Legislature.

Parry is running in a heated GOP primary where he has highlighted past intemperate comments by opponent Allen Quist, saying they call Quist’s judgment and electability into question.

On Twitter, two Democratic lawmakers urged Parry to apologize and a Republican legislator called Dayton a “gentleman.”

Parry spokesman Ben Golnik says Parry stands by the comment.

Dayton’s spokesman had no immediate response.