State senator resigns under fire
Artiles engaged in racist, sexist diatribe
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, R-Miami, in a released 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.”
Artiles’ trouble 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 N-word, even as Sen. Perry Thurston, D-Fort Lauderdale, tried to intervene. Both Gibson and Thurston are AfricanAmerican. Artiles also criticized Senate President Joe Negron, RStuart, and called him a “p---y” 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,” he 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,” she said of Artiles.
Negron coaxed Artiles to apologize Wednesday on the floor of the Senate.
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 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. Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested he should think about resigning.
Fellow GOP senators also severely criticized him, saying his comments were not acceptable.
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,” he 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 Scott to set the date of a special election to fill Artiles’ seat, but there’s no set time frame for him to do so.
“Governor Scott will work with the Department of State to call a special election. More details will be released in the coming weeks,” Scott spokeswoman Lauren Schenone wrote in an email.
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 currently hold a 24-15 advantage over Democrats in the Senate.
The prospect of an official inquiry into a member’s actions by the Legislature is rare.
The last one came in 2009, and it was halted when then-House Speaker Ray Sansom resigned over allegations he funneled budget funds to a political donor.
Resignations under fire are somewhat more common. Rep. Richard Steinberg, a Miami Beach Democrat, resigned in February 2012 after it was reported he sent lascivious emails and text messages to a federal prosecutor. Rep. Mike Horner, R-Kissimmee, resigned in September 2012 after being linked to a prostitution sting.