LONGVIEW — A Republican Party leader blasted a Democratic official Thursday for what she called “sexist” and “degrading” remarks about State Representative and congressional hopeful Jaime Herrera.

On Tuesday, Washington State Democratic Party chairman Dwight Pelz compared Herrera to former Alaska Gov. and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Pelz said Herrera is “Palinesque” and called her “long on style, short of substance.”

“It’s disgraceful that the moment a female minority candidate comes on the scene, Democrats pounce on the opportunity to demean and belittle her,” according to a statement released by GOP National Committeewoman Fredi Simpson. “As a Hispanic female, I am shocked at Chairman Pelz’s recent sexist and degrading remarks about a fellow Hispanic female’s looks, while disregarding her intelligence.”

Herrera, a 31-year-old Camas Republican, announced this week that she will run to replace 3rd District Congressman Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, who will not seek a seventh term next year. Herrera was appointed to the Legislature in 2007, and voters sent her back to the post in 2008.

Simpson continued: “Obviously, the Chairman and his Democrat Party feel threatened by this accomplished young woman and need to resort to childish antics of name-calling to distract from the real issues.