Ten days after controversy erupted, Senate President Karen Fann defended Republican colleague Sylvia Allen on Monday amid criticism of the legislator's comments about immigration, birth rates and the so-called "browning of America."

"The attacks on Sen. Allen are unwarranted and unfair," Fann, R-Prescott, said in a written statement, describing the Republican from Snowflake as "a kind, warm-hearted person who does not condone any form of bigotry and prejudice."

Fann's defense of Allen comes more than a week after the Phoenix New Times published a recording of the senator telling a Republican group that America would "look like South American countries very quickly" and warned that immigrants were "flooding" the United States at a rate that didn't allow for them to "learn the principles of our country."

Allen has said that the intent of her comments was misunderstood, contending that her reference to South America was a reference to socialism in Venezuela, for example. She also described the backlash to her comments as a "verbal lynching."

But Democrats said the remarks echoed statements by then-state Rep. David Stringer last year who called immigration an "existential threat" and said "there aren't enough white kids to go around" — comments that prompted condemnation from both sides of the aisle.

Fann referred to Stringer in her statement, but not by name.

Democrats have accused Republican leaders of favoring Allen and sticking by her for the sake of protecting a potentially vulnerable seat in the state Senate. And Democratic state Sen. Martin Quezada called Fann's defense of Allen irresponsible following a massacre in El Paso over the weekend by a gunman investigators suspect published a manifesto railing about an immigrant "invasion" of the country.

"She's basically saying ignore what happened this past weekend, the deadliest hate crime incident in nearly 100 years that was motivated by comments just like these," Quezada wrote on Twitter. "Intent doesn't matter if the results and impacts of your words cause harm."

Wendy Rogers, who is challenging Allen in the Republican primary for Legislative District 6, has also denounced the remarks as racist, and Democrats are bound to continue pressing the issue through next year's general election.

Fann's support means Allen is safe

But Fann's comments signal that Allen will not face a backlash from her own colleagues in the Republican caucus or have to give up her place as chair of the influential Senate Education Committee

Fann wrote: "She has explained her comments, detailing the intent and even offered apologies to anyone who misconstrued the content."

Allen told conservative radio host Jeff Oravits last week that her remark about South American countries was a reference to socialism in Venezuela.

Fann went on to praise Allen's work as chair of the Senate Education Committee.

The Arizona Education Association has called for Allen's removal from that post. Its leader joined with Quezada and the liberal advocacy group Progress Now Arizona last week to deliver what they said were more than 1,000 petition signatures to Fann's office urging Allen's ouster.

Gov. Doug Ducey spoke in defense of Allen when asked about her comments last week. But the Senate president had been quiet about Allen's statements until Monday.

"As Arizona Senators, our first responsibility should be to our constituents in finding good solutions to the issues facing our state. I am hopeful everyone can try to put aside the divisive politics and work together as a team," Fann wrote.

Reach reporter Andrew Oxford at andrew.oxford@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @andrewboxford.