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PHOENIX (AP) - The state Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Republican Gov. Jan Brewer's appointment of Jay Heiler to the Arizona Board of Regents, with Democrats saying they're troubled by Heiler's reported past remarks disparaging gays.

Several Democrats said during Wednesday's 19-9 party line vote that they aren't satisfied that the prominent Republican attorney-lobbyist had adequately atoned. Republicans defended Heiler, saying he and others should not be judged today by comments made many years ago.

The comments included referring to homosexuality as an "aberration" in an early 1980s student newspaper article while attending Arizona State University. He called gays "queers" while talking with news reporters in 1994 while a top aide to then-Gov. Fife Symington, according to news accounts at the time.

Heiler said Wednesday he doesn't believe he used the word "queers," though a letter of apology he issued in 1994 to a gay-rights group said reporters told him that he had.

Heiler said during his Senate confirmation hearing Monday that "stuff" has been mischaracterized and amplified over the years. But he said he would not make such remarks now, that he has grown as a person and that he believes all Arizonans need to live in harmony together.

"I think I can represent all members of our community with those values in mind," Heiler said when asked by a Democratic senator whether he could serve the needs and interests of gay students as a regent.

Heiler's comments to the committee fell short of an apology, said Sen. David Schapira, D-Tempe.

"He refers to my LGBT family and friends as queers," said Sen. Paula Aboud, D-Tucson. "To have an individual such as Jay who has not apologized for any of his comments ... is an affront."

Sen. Linda Gray, R-Glendale, said Heiler is serving his community and is the target of a "political attack."

"Like most of us in college, he should have shown more care," she said.

The Board of Regents oversees the state university system. Brewer appointed Heiler to replace a prominent Democrat, Fred Duval, whose term had expired.