Gov. Bryant excited about his daughter's job

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he was expressing pride in his daughter when he said her job as a county board of supervisors' attorney is "usually not a position for a young lady."

He told high school girls at a leadership program: "Most board attorneys tend to be guys because it can be a little challenging at times."

The Hattiesburg American reported Friday that Bryant spoke Monday at Magnolia Girls State.

Republican Bryant said Saturday in a statement to The Associated Press that he's proud of his daughter, Katie Bryant Snell, "for excelling in a job that can be very challenging, whether the board attorney is a man or a woman."

He said any other interpretation is "misguided," and he believes the Girls State participants knew what he meant.