Racial Slur-Dropping Senator Should Resign, Charlie Crist Says

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Charlie Crist has joined the chorus of politicians calling for State Sen. Frank Artiles to resign after it came to light the Republican from Miami used a racial slur in private conversations with two other members of the legislative body. The former Florida governor and current U.S. Congressman fired off a statement Thursday calling for Artiles to step down.

“The racial slurs used by Sen. Artiles are deeply offensive to me and the community I represent,” Crist said. “He should restore the dignity of the Florida Senate by immediately removing himself from it.”

Get the Patch newsletter and alerts in your inbox.

The racial slur in question is a derogatory word for black people Artiles acknowledged he uttered in the company of fellow Senators Audrey Gibson and Perry Thurston, who are both African-Americans and Democrats.

During a Wednesday Senate floor apology, Artiles said his "harsh words have adversely reflected more on me than they could ever have on anyone else." Artiles first apologized to Gibson of Jacksonville "for the words and tone I used with you Monday night." He then turned to Thurston of Fort Lauderdale, whom he referred to as "my friend and colleague and a person who put his arm around me and tried to guide me in the right direction."

Artiles said he did not direct the racial slur toward anyone in particular but "that is rightfully the most inflammatory."

Standing in the chamber with a microphone and apparently reading from prepared remarks, the senator said: "I know my explanation is inadequate but it's sincere."

Finally, he apologized to Sen. President Joe Negron whose "countless hours of work, work ethic and dedication to leading this body doesn't merit my crass and juvenile comments."

Those apologies didn’t go far enough for Crist, a Democrat, and many others now calling for Artiles’ resignation. The Florida Democratic Party, the Democratic Progressive Caucus and others have called for him to step down. Rallies have even been staged to encourage Artiles to leave his senatorial career behind him.

Current Gov. Rick Scott hasn’t said whether he thinks Artiles should issue that resignation, but he has called his comments “disgusting,” according to several media outlets.

Apology or not, Artiles is no longer the chair of the Senate’s Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee. That responsibility now goes to Lakeland Republican Sen. Kelli Stargel.

With reporting by Patch's Paul Scicchitano

Image and video courtesy of Florida Senate