House member running for U.S. Senate faces criticism on Muslim remarks

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A California congresswoman who is running for the U.S. Senate is being criticized after suggesting that as many as two of 10 Muslims would engage in terrorism to establish a strict Islamic state.


Democratic Rep. Loretta Sanchez said in a statement Friday that the figure does not reflect her views on the Muslim community in America, and most Muslims around the world are committed to peace.

The Los Angeles arm of the Council on American-Islamic Relations calls Sanchez's statement harmful and perplexing.

In an interview with "PoliticKING with Larry King," Sanchez says between 5 percent and 20 percent of Muslims want a strict Islamic state — or caliphate — and would use terrorism to impose their views.

In her later statement, she says American Muslims are law-abiding and love the country.