MIAMI, April 21, (APP/AFP) – A state senator in
Florida resigned Friday after launching into a racist tirade in a Miami bar against two black fellow lawmakers that left him mired in scandal and embarrassed his Republican party.
Frank Artiles, 43, apologized in his resignation letter, saying: “It is clear to me my recent actions and words that I spoke fell far short of what I expect for myself, and for this I am very sorry.”
The incident occurred in a posh bar late Monday in the state capital
Tallahassee, when Artiles, a white Cuban-American who was apparently drunk at the time, used the word “niggers” in front of two black senatorial colleagues, one male and one female.
He also called one of them a “bitch” and used other obscenities, according to local media.
After trying to brave out the backlash and hiring a lawyer to defend him, Artiles said in his letter that “it’s clear there are consequences to every action, and in this area, I will need time for personal reflection and growth.”
Florida’s Republican Senate President Jose Negron — who is white and, although was not in the bar, was allegedly called a “pussy” by Artiles — said he was “appalled” by Artiles’ “offensive and reprehensible manner.”
“Racial slurs and profane, sexist insults have no place in conversation between senators and will not be tolerated while I am serving as senate president,” he said.