Austin newspaper tweets, deletes 'inappropriate' cartoon of Gov. Greg Abbott with pant legs on fire

@MyStatesman: "Smith: Voter suppression is recipe for income equality." @MyStatesman: "Smith: Voter suppression is recipe for income equality." Photo: Courtesy/Twitter Photo: Courtesy/Twitter Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Austin newspaper tweets, deletes 'inappropriate' cartoon of Gov. Greg Abbott with pant legs on fire 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

The Austin American-Statesman tweeted an apology to Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday after a column featuring a political cartoon with the governor's pant legs on fire was re-published after a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that Texas' controversial voter ID law discriminates against minorities.

RELATED: Abbott discharged from San Antonio military hospital

The illustration in question shows Abbott, in his wheelchair, his pant legs on fire while saying, "In fact, voter fraud in Texas is aah, rampant!"

The story, with the cartoon, was originally tweeted April 10.

Smith: Voter suppression is recipe for income inequality https://t.co/zPSnqk6fW5 pic.twitter.com/MRtZO6exoN — My Statesman (@MyStatesman) April 11, 2016

Abbott sustained second- and third-degree burns on his legs and feet July 7 on a family trip to Jackson Hole Wyoming. He was admitted to the San Antonio Military Medical Center's burn unit July 11 after an examination found he had developed a "minor infection." He underwent surgery July 12 to repair damage on both of his feet. He was released July 15 after four nights in the hospital.

RELATED: Abbott admitted to SAMMC, scheduled for surgery after being burned in Wyoming

"We reported an April voter ID commentary with its original cartoon, now obviously inappropriate in light of @GovAbbott accident. (1/2)" the first tweet reads. The second one says, "We have deleted the tweet, and apologize to our readers and especially @GovAbbott. (2/2)"

We reposted an April voter ID commentary with its original cartoon, now obviously inappropriate in light of @GovAbbott accident. (1/2) — Austin Statesman (@statesman) July 21, 2016

We have deleted the tweet, and apologize to our readers and especially @GovAbbott. (2/2) — Austin Statesman (@statesman) July 21, 2016

The illustration is no longer coupled with the column on the Statesman's website.

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Statesman Editor Debbie Hiott responded to critics on Twitter saying, "Commentary reposted from April incl. original cartoon, now obv. inappropriate, so we have deleted. Our apologies."

Due to his injuries, Abbott was unable to attend the 2016 Republican National Convention which wrapped up Thursday in Cleveland, Ohio. He did, however, address the Texas delegate breakfast July 18 by phone.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5