South Carolina GOP Rep. Ralph Norman opened an election debate Thursday by cracking a joke that attempted to play off the controversy over the sexual assault allegation against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

It did not go over well, according to a report from The Post and Courier.

Norman, appearing alongside his Democratic opponent Archie Parnell — who is under fire after 1973 divorce records revealed he allegedly violently beat his then-wife — opened the debate by joking he almost had to miss the event to head back to Washington to address the latest drama involving the Supreme Court.

“Did you hear about this?” Norman said. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg came out saying she was groped by Abraham Lincoln.”

Watch: Ralph Norman Makes a Joke About Ruth Bader Ginsburg Being ‘Groped’ by Abraham Lincoln