Jacob Ogles
Politicians across the state Saturday condemned robocalls put out by racist groups against Andrew Gillum, the first black major party nominee for Governor.
“The vile and racist robocalls attacking Andrew Gillum represent an attack on every Floridian and have no place in our politics,” said state Sen. Linda Stewart, an Orlando Democrat.
“This disgusting attempt to divide the people of Florida will only bring us closer together. We will reject the politics of hate and, with Andrew Gillum as governor, build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren.”
Audio of robocalls from Road to Power, an Idaho-based Neo-Nazi group, was first obtained by The Tallahassee Democrat and reported on Friday. Politico later reported it also had obtained robocalls sent out by the same group.
State Sen. Lori Berman, a Boynton Beach Democrat, echoed Stewart’s concerns but said the hateful rhetoric should rally progressives together.
“I am proud of the way Andrew has focused on laying out a positive vision for the people of Florida and I sincerely hope this election focuses on the way we can move this state forward and improve the lives of Florida’s working families,” Berman said.
“We must make unequivocally clear that racism and hatred have no place in this election —and won’t be tolerated in our beautiful, diverse state.”
Campaign officials for Republican Ron DeSantis quickly denounced the calls.
“This is absolutely appalling and disgusting,” DeSantis spokesman Stephen Lawson told Politico, “and hopefully whoever is behind this has to answer for this despicable action.”
Republican Gov. Rick Scott also denounced the calls.
“There is no room for any racial politics here in Florida — none,” Scott said on social media. “Florida is a melting pot of people from all over the globe, and we are proud of it. No attempts to divide people by race or ethnicity will be tolerated from anyone.”
Gillum’s campaign responded with measured concern, condemning the calls while fearful of drawing further notoriety to the organization.
“This is reprehensible—and could only have come from someone with intentions to fuel hatred and seek publicity,” Geoff Burgan, communications director for Gillum’s campaign, told the Democrat. “Please don’t give it undeserved attention.”
The unwelcome injection of Nazi rhetoric into the campaign comes while DeSantis deals with an early general election season gaffe, telling Fox News the morning after his and Gillum’s primary wins that Florida voters shouldn’t “monkey this up” and elect Gillum, a comment he said was a phrase he used regularly but in which many others heard racist undertones.
“The Neo-Nazi robocalls against Andrew Gillum are simply horrifying. Floridians deserve to hear from the candidates about their solutions to expand access to health care and improve public education,” said Berman. “Instead, Ron DeSantis started the general election with a racist dog whistle and the tone has unfortunately only gone downhill from there.”
7 comments
Cory
September 1, 2018 at 8:04 pm
So all of a sudden these calls just happen to pop up right after Congressman DeSantis says his stupid “monkey” comment. This could be a setup .
MicheleRyan
September 1, 2018 at 9:43 pm
Liberal Democrat BILL NELSON and Socialist ANDREW GILLUM are running for Senate & Governor respectively. Nelson / Gillum both proudly supports abolishing ICE, sanctuary cities, amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, using taxpayer funds for illegal aliens & DACA. In addition, both are weak on border security and national defense.
If you OPPOSE illegal immigration, taxpayer funds used for illegal aliens, sanctuary cities, amnesty r Please VOTE NO for BILL NELSON & ANDREW GILLUM this November….we can’t afford anymore Democrats.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/240725/democrats-positive-socialism-capitalism.aspx
https://www.fairus.org/issue/publications-resources/fiscal-burden-illegal-immigration-united-states-taxpayers
Jo
September 2, 2018 at 8:05 am
“Any more Dems?” Are you fricken kidding me?! They are the only ones to restore BALANCE in this NeoNazi era of FoxNews running the GOP house who have drugged our country’s zombies to vote against its own interest. Clean air, clean water (NO to drilling off our precious beaches!), CIVIL rights and pursuit of justice for ALL citizens! Bank of America and now the federal passport office are jumping on revoking our own country’s citizens of their money and passports?! Wake the F up!! #RedTideKills #BlueWaveRestores.
John Fleming
September 1, 2018 at 9:49 pm
sounds like a Soros-funded “False Flag”incjdent to me.Why not lets have two intelligent and articulate men, as both are, debate clean and clear?
Donnie
September 1, 2018 at 10:01 pm
This is easily the darkest governor’s race in Florida’s history. Too much monkey business.
Meghan
September 2, 2018 at 12:29 pm
If you want our governor & senator to clean up the Red Tide (red algae) west coast & blue green algae east coast of Florida cleaned up & regulations that were made basically non-existent by Rick Scott & Adam Putnam & if you want the big business to have to pay for what they have done to our coastlines & tourism then I suggest you vote democrat this November! For far too long now had this state been dragged down by republicans! Written by a Native Floridian…I bet anyone reading this can’t say they know too many of those.
lpe888
September 2, 2018 at 11:50 pm
That the majority of them look a bit like “Puss” anyway,
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