A county commissioner in Kansas has resigned after joking about being part of the “master race” during a commission meeting due to a gap in his teeth.

Last week, Leavenworth County Commissioner Louis Klemp told an African American city planner speaking at a public meeting: “I don’t want you to think I’m picking on you because we’re part of the master race.” Both the city planner, Triveece Penelton, and Klemp have gaps in their teeth, Klemp said in his defense.

“My attempts at identifying a similarity (space between our teeth) with a presenter were well-meaning but misinterpreted by some and definitely not racially-motivated,” Klemp wrote in his resignation letter Tuesday, NBC News reported. “I have reached out to the presenter and extended my regret and support.”