Spoiler: A Republican rally in Florida took a racist turn this weekend.
Alongside Lee County Republican chair Jonathan Martin and gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz called Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum "Andrew Kill'Em" in reference to crime statistics.
The Democratic party and Gillum’s campaign have attacked Gaetz’s remarks as racist.
I agree.
Like DeSantis, Gaetz’s denials of racist intent don’t seem credible, given their history. Consider that Gaetz invited a Neo-Nazi leader to the State of the Union Address and DeSantis was an administrator on an explicitly racist Facebook page.
My opponent for Florida House District 80, Byron Donalds, is an African American Republican in the Florida legislature. He was there campaigning with them, when Matt Gaetz uttered his dog whistle remarks. I imagine it was uncomfortable.
As a woman, I know the feeling of having to grit one’s teeth when inappropriate remarks are made. Though we have very different policy views, I’ve enjoyed chatting with Byron before debates. I’m nothing but sympathetic to his situation––campaigning with people who are either racist or hideously tone deaf.
He’s also had racist remarks posted on his Facebook page. I hope such remarks go in the garbage bin of history and we move forward in a way that is more representative of every person. Where an African American Republican like Byron Donalds, African American Democrats like Andrew Gillum and Sean Shaw, women, and people of all stripes are treated with dignity and respect.
I’m campaigning against hate and the naked race-baiting seen at that rally. My opponent stands behind Ron DeSantis and Matt Gaetz. I wonder if he ever gets tired of gritting his teeth while he smiles?
If you’d like to see me win against hate in Florida, please donate to my campaign.
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