Relief as Artiles resigns

Senator in vulgarities scandal blames politics

TALLAHASSEE – Sen. Frank Artiles resigned Friday rather than face a Senate inquiry and possibly expulsion for using racial slurs and calling a fellow senator a “bitch” in a late-night tirade earlier in the week.

“I clearly made comments that were hurtful, unacceptable and inappropriate,” said Artiles, RMiami, in a statement. “The American people and Floridians want their leaders to be accountable and responsible, and by resigning my elected office I believe I am demonstrating those qualities they desire and deserve.”

The trouble for Artiles began Monday night at the Governors Club, a members-only club frequented by lobbyists and members, when he called Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, a “bitch” and a “girl.” Artiles was upset with Gibson for questioning one of his bills during a

committee meeting earlier in the day.

He also referred to unnamed Republican senators as a slang version of the Nword, even as Sen. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, tried to intervene. Gibson and Thurston are African-American. Artiles also criticized Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, and called him a “pussy” during his rant.

Thurston and members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus, which he chairs, called for Artiles’ resignation. Thurston also filed an official complaint with the Senate seeking his explusion from the Senate.

“We certainly are hoping to put it behind us,” Thurston said. “It was the right thing to do for the Senate, for him, and we wish him the best.”

Gibson also seems eager to move on from the incident.

“This has been an ordeal that no one should have to endure. I wish him well in all of his endeavors,” Gibson said of Artiles.

Artiles was coaxed by Negron to apologize on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday. Afterwards, however, Artiles was not as contrite, referring to the incident as an argument that got heated. He was adamant then about not resigning.

“I’m not only not going to resign, I’m going to file for 2018 and win my election,” Artiles said on Wednesday.

But Artiles reversed his stance Friday, after mounting pressure from fellow Republicans to resign. Gov. Rick Scott told reporters in Tampa on Thursday he would fire any one of his employees that spoke like Artiles.

Fellow GOP senators also severely criticized him, saying his comments were not acceptable.

But a lawyer representing Artile said Thursday that the remarks — as offensive as they were — are protected by free speech and that other senators have used similar language.

Lawyer Steven Andrews wrote to the Senate lawyer reviewing the case and said that the complaint by the black lawmakers shouldn’t be pursued because Artiles is protected under the U.S. Constitution.

He also said Artiles’ comments should be judged side-by-side with the remarks of other senators.

“Should this matter be sent to the Senate floor, my client intends to put evidence of other similar speech by other Senators,” Andrews wrote to Senate lawyer Dawn Roberts.

In his resignation statement, Artiles blamed politics for forcing him out.

“While I take full responsibility for using language that was vulgar and inappropriate, my family has fallen victim to a political process that can distort the truth for the sole purpose of political gain,” Artiles said.

Artiles is a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq and was elected to the Florida House in 2010, serving for six years before being elected to the Senate in District 40, which covers part of Miami-Dade County.

It’s up to Gov. Scott to set the date of a special election to fill Artiles’ seat.

The race is likely to attract plenty of candidates from both major parties.

Artiles beat Democrat Dwight Bullard 51 percent to 41 percent in 2016, but the district went 54 percent to 45 percent for Barack Obama over Mitt Romney in 2012.

The Florida Democratic Party sent out an email to supporters asking for donations within minutes of the news of Artiles’ resignation.

“This race will be the first major election that Floridians face since November’s disastrous results. If we’re able to deliver a big win and take this seat back, it will send a crystal clear message that Floridians aren’t going to stand for Donald Trump and Frank Artiles’ extreme, racist rightwing agenda,” the email states.

With Artiles’ departure, Republicans hold a 24-15 advantage over Democrats in the Senate.

Thurston withdrew his complaint Friday against Artiles in response to his resignation. He wrote in a statement that while he respected Artiles’ tough decision, he was proud of the lawmakers who stood to condemn him.

“The actions of this Senate, and those of the multitude of Floridians who stood up in objection to the events of this week are to be lauded,“Thurston said. ”They underscored the critical lesson that words can be painful, they can be hurtful, and they can have consequences.”

Artiles