Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) today denounced an op-ed in which two South Carolina county GOP chairmen wrote that he watches pennies like "Jews who are wealthy."

"I just read the op-ed last night and the comments were thoughtless and hurtful," DeMint said in a statement. "The chairmen have apologized as they should have."

The two chairmen, in an op-ed published Sunday in the Times-Democrat, were trying to defend DeMint's practice of not seeking earmarks for South Carolina.

"There is a saying that the Jews who are wealthy got that way not by watching dollars, but instead by taking care of the pennies and the dollars taking care of themselves," they wrote.

"By not using earmarks to fund projects for South Carolina and instead using actual bills, DeMint is watching our nation's pennies and trying to preserve our country's wealth and our economy's viability to give all an opportunity to succeed."

One of the chairmen, Orangeburg County GOP chairman James Ulmer, apologized late Monday in a written statement.

"I could have certainly worded that sentence much better. I sincerely apologize for this great error. If I had quoted that great man from Pennsylvania, Ben Franklin, using his, 'A penny saved is a penny earned,' I doubt I would be writing this note," Ulmer said in a statement.

"I meant absolutely nothing derogatory by the reference to a great and honorable people. I hope that anyone and all who were offended by my comment will accept my humble apology," Ulmer added.

According to DeMint and the Associated Press, Bamberg County GOP chairman Edwin Merwin also apologized.

The chairwoman of the state GOP, Karen Floyd, called the statement absolutely unacceptable.

One of the state's two Jewish lawmakers, Democrat Joel Lourie, condemned the op-ed Monday night.

The authors of the op-ed are "individuals who unapologetically espouse racist and stereotypical attitudes," he said in a statement.