MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The head of the state firefighters union has resigned over a racist comment he made the day after Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected president.

The Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin announced the resignation of Rick Gale and said his comment was "offensive, inappropriate and racially insensitive and does not reflect the views or our union."

Gale, who is a lieutenant with the West Allis Fire Department, headed the union for eight years.

He admitted in his letter of resignation that he used the "single racially charged word" while watching the TV news as he had drinks with several board members after a meeting.

He apologized to the union and the public and said he is resigning from all the boards he served on, including the State of Wisconsin Retirement Board. He was appointed to that board by Governor Jim Doyle, who was an ardent supporter of Obama throughout the presidential race.

Gale had worked on Obama's Wisconsin campaign.