SAN FRANCISCO — For the second time in as many months, Giants principal owner Charles Johnson has asked for a controversial political donation to be returned.

Johnson released a statement through attorney Joe Cotchett on Tuesday that announced he has requested his $2,700 donation to Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Republican U.S. Senator from Mississippi, be refunded.

Hyde-Smith is facing Democratic challenger Mike Espy in a runoff for the final undecided U.S. Senate seat Tuesday and has been criticized of late for racist remarks. Johnson’s donation to Hyde-Smith was received November 20, several days after she said she would “be on the front row” if invited to a public hanging.

“I would like to provide important context related to my political donation to Cindy Hyde-Smith,” Johnson said in a statement. “I was not aware of the controversy surrounding Hyde-Smith when I made the donation. I strongly condemn any form of racism and I have asked for my contribution to be returned. My political donations are my own personal donations, which have no affiliation with the Giants or any company.”

Election filings showed Johnson and his wife Ann each donated the maximum amount to Hyde-Smith’s campaign about a month after Johnson requested a $1,000 contribution to the super PAC Black Americans for the President’s Agenda be returned. The super PAC created racist radio advertisements in support of Arkansas congressman French Hill.

After news of Johnson’s donation to Hyde-Smith’s campaign surfaced, civil rights attorney John Burris and San Francisco NAACP chapter president Dr. Amos Brown announced a “total boycott” of the Giants at a Monday press conference. Brown said he would continue his boycott until Johnson requested his donation be returned, but Burris said he was unsure how he would feel if Johnson remains involved in the franchise’s ownership group.

Related Articles Editorial: Giants’ principal owner owes fans a better explanation

NAACP joins boycott of Giants; co-owner claims ignorance led to controversial donation

Fans call for boycott, react to Giants owner’s controversial donations

Giants release statement on political donations

Opinion: I’m boycotting the San Francisco Giants, and here’s why The Bay Area News Group reached Burris on Tuesday by phone after Johnson released his statement and Burris called Johnson’s latest action “a positive first step.”

“This is a positive movement although the damage has been done in terms of the election and the support for it so this closes the door to the barn after the horses have gotten out,” Burris said. “As for what I’m going to do, that remains to be seen. I think it’s more than just that now, to me it’s more given the other case that he was involved in. The concern I have is that this is a guy who represents the Giants who supports these right-wing, race-baiting groups. I haven’t made a decision yet, I just think it’s a positive first step.”