(CNN) -- The California governor's race has devolved into a skirmish over the word "whore." An aide to the Democratic candidate called the Republican candidate that in an inadvertently recorded conversation, implying that she had sold out to special interests. The Republican campaign of former eBay CEO Meg Whitman has demanded an apology. The Democratic campaign of California Attorney General Jerry Brown has responded. "The use of the term 'whore' is an insult to both Meg Whitman and to the women of California," her campaign spokeswoman Sarah Pompei said. "This is an appalling and unforgivable smear against Meg Whitman." Brown's campaign manager Steven Glazer said: "This was a jumbled and often inaudible recording of a private conversation. At times, our language was salty. We apologize to Ms. Whitman and anyone who may have been offended."
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An aide to the Democratic candidate uses the word on the Republican hopeful
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The private conversation is accidentally recorded
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Republican Meg Whitman was portrayed as selling out to special interests
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Her campaign has demanded an apology to Whitman and the women of California
... That I have been warned if I crack down on pensions, I will be ... that they'll go to @placeholder, and that's where they'll go, because they know Whitman will give 'em, will cut them a deal, but I won't," Brown said.