During her first session in the Florida Legislature, State Rep. Michelle Salzman was criticized for calling a Black lawmaker the chamber’s “token Republican.
The Tampa Bay Times reported the incident in March 2021 while the House was debating anti-riot legislation that Democrats believed was unnecessary and would target people of color.
The Tampa Bay Times:
At one point, from the floor of the House, Rep. Omari Hardy, D-West Palm Beach, said he overheard Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, on Friday calling Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, the chamber’s “token Black Republican.” (Barnaby, the only Black Republican in the House, spoke passionately in favor of HB 1 just before Hardy’s speech.)
Salzman, in an interview, vehemently denied making this remark.
“It’s an absolute lie,” Salzman said.
After Hardy’s accusation, House Speaker Chris Sprowls had to bring debate to a halt to remind members of House rules forbidding personal attacks.
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