Racism accusations follow ‘monkey’ remark in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Rep. Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee for governor, warned Floridians on Fox News not to “monkey this up” by electing Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, the Democratic nominee who is African-American.
“The last thing we need to do is monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state,” DeSantis said Wednesday, about 10 hours after both clinched their party nominations.
The quote followed statements that Gillum was “an articulate spokesman” for leftist views.
The Florida Democratic Party called out DeSantis immediately.
“It’s disgusting that Ron DeSantis is launching his general election campaign with racist dog whistles,” Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo said in a statement.
Gillum spokesman Geoff Burgan said the campaign was letting the Florida Democratic Party respond.
“DeSantis’ comments speak for themselves,” Burgan said.
Ana Navarro, a Republican strategist and political consultant, took to Twitter to criticize DeSantis.
“As a Floridian, it was my hope this Governor’s race would be about the pressing issues facing our state - rising tides, algae outbreak, trade, economy, jobs,” Navarro said. “I had hoped it would not be one were (sic) racism was front and center. That hope lasted all of 10 hours.”
Stephen Lawson, communication director for the DeSantis campaign, said in an email that “Ron DeSantis was obviously talking about Florida not making the wrong decision to embrace the socialist policies that Andrew Gillum espouses. To characterize it as anything else is absurd.”
Fox News’ Sandra Smith issued the following statement after the DeSantis campaign issued the clarification:
“A little while ago, we had Ron DeSantis, the Republican nominee for governor in Florida on for an interview to discuss the Florida election. During the interview, he made what some are calling an inappropriate comment about his democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum.
“We do not condone this language and wanted to make our viewers aware that he has since clarified his statement.”
DeSantis told a Fox affiliate in Orlando, Florida, he was talking solely about Gillum’s policies. “I want it to be about issues,” he said. “I don’t want it to be about personalities. ... It’s absurd to think I’m trying to take a jab at anyone for ethnic or racial reasons.”
President Donald Trump has been an enthusiastic supporter of DeSantis, and the hard-line conservative congressman has embraced the president. In the primary, DeSantis ran an ad where he built a wall with his daughter and read Trump’s “Art of the Deal” to his son.
“The last thing we need to do is monkey this up by trying to embrace a socialist agenda with huge tax increases and bankrupting the state.” Rep. Ron DeSantis