During a private conversation, Senator Frank Artiles of Miami targeted his racial and gender-based remarks at Senators Audrey Gibson and Perry Thurston who he was having drinks with at the Governor’s Club in Tallahassee.

Artiles began his rant by suggesting that Republican Sen. Joe Negron was only elected as the State’s Senate President because of “six n—-rs.” The discussion between Artiles, Thurston and Gibson turned heated and the State Senator turned his vitriol to them, calling Gibson a “girl” and a “b—h.”

Senate President Negron was notified of the incident and shortly after, Artiles’ office issued a statement:

“In an exchange with a colleague of mine in the Senate, I unfortunately let my temper get the best of me. There is no excuse for the exchange that occurred and I have apologized to my Senate colleagues and regret the incident profusely.”

Artiles said he was especially sorry for the words he aimed at Gibson, who did not look at him once as he apologized, because they were personal. Of course, the apology was not enough.

Artiles later told Gibson and Thurston that he’d used the word as a slang term, suggesting that it was not meant to be insulting. The only black senators in the state Senate are all Democrats with not one backing Negron’s bid.

In a statement issued Tuesday night, the Florida Democratic Party demanded the immediate resignation of Artiles for his tirade:

“His use of horrific racist and sexist slurs towards his colleagues is disgusting, unacceptable and has no place in our democracy or our society. There is never an excuse for racism or misogyny and the people of Florida aren’t buying it. Resign now.”

 

Artiles said early Wednesday that he will “absolutely” not step down, according to the Tampa Bay Times Tallahassee bureau chief Steve Bousquet.