Vulgar video surfaces of candidate who was on 'Apprentice'

NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. – A former "Apprentice" contestant who was caught on video using a vulgarity to proposition a woman says he won't end his bid for a New Jersey Assembly seat.

Republican Brian McDowell says he was joking around and didn't intend to be degrading when he was filmed telling a woman she should have sex with him. He says he has known the woman for 10 years and thinks a Democratic spy may have shot the video.

He says he's staying in the race because he wants to reduce property taxes.

McDowell appeared on "The Apprentice" in 2005 before getting fired by now-President Donald Trump. He coordinated Trump's campaign in part of southern Jersey.

He will remain on the ballot in the GOP primary. But Republicans dropped him from the preferred slot for party-backed candidates in his home county of Cape May.