Democrat Rep. Gwen Moore accuses Wisconsin Governor and Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker of supporting policies that are “tightening the noose, literally” around the necks of African-Americans, the Journal Sentinel reports.

The Milwaukee congresswoman made the racial remark while on a phone call with reporters Monday.

Governor Walker, Moore said, is “literally campaigning around the state, saying you don’t want to be like Milwaukee, while at the same time really tightening the noose, literally, around African-Americans.”

The Wisconsin governor announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination last month.

“He cut his teeth on ‘three strikes and you’re out’ mandatory minimum sentences, really, you know, trail ’em, nail ’em and jail ’em politics. And so we really have a high incarceration rate,” Moore said on the phone call.

Governor Walker’s campaign responded, calling Congresswoman Moore’s comments “inflammatory and inappropriate.”

“Governor Walker will continue to focus on presenting solutions for Americans and uniting the country, while others continue to create division,” said Walker spokeswoman AshLee Strong, according to TheHill.