FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Attorney General Jack Conway has apologized for his use of profanity during a speech at a western Kentucky church picnic.

Conway issued the apology Monday afternoon for telling hundreds of people at the St. Jerome parish in the community of Fancy Farm that he is "one tough son-of-a-b----."

Conway said he "got caught up in the fiery rhetoric" at the picnic and made a refence that he should not have.

Conway was one of seven candidates who delivered speeches at the church picnic. Another of the candidates, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, had called Monday morning for the apology.

The priest assigned to St. Jerome said the salty speech will likely result in an addition to the ground rules for the political speeches: No cursing.