Voters To Pick New Florida Senator After Racial Slur

MIAMI, FL — Voters in the Miami area head to the polls on Tuesday to select a replacement for former Florida State Sen. Frank Artiles, who resigned in April amid backlash from his use of a racially charged slur in private conversations with two colleagues. Republican State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz faces Democrat Annette Taddeo and independent Christian “He-Man” Schlaerth in a special election for the Florida Senate seat in District 40.

The polls opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday and were to remain open until 7 p.m. Voters were asked to bring a current and valid form of identification. They must go to their assigned polling places. For more information, call 3-1-1.

Visit the Voter Toolkit to know what information you need to bring with you to vote. To find your voting location click here and enter your name, date of birth and the numerical portion of your street address. (Sign up for our free Daily Newsletters and Breaking News Alerts for the Pinecrest Patch.)

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Voters will also fill the Florida State House seat in District 116, which was left vacant when Diaz resigned to make a run for the Florida Senate.

In the race for Diaz' seat, Republican Daniel Anthony Perez takes on Democrat Gabriela Mayaudon.

In his resignation letter from the Senate one day before his birthday, Artiles apologized to constituents for his behavior.

"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. I apologize to my family and friends and I apologize to all of my fellow senators and lawmakers," Artiles said in his letter. "To the people of my district and all of Miami-Dade, I am sorry I have let you down and ask for your forgiveness."

Artiles had previously apologized for more than three minutes on the floor of the Florida Senate saying his "harsh words have adversely reflected more on me than they could ever have on anyone else."

Both lawmakers who witnessed Artiles' racially charged rant were African-American Democrats. Artiles is a Republican.

State Rep. Jose Felix Diaz (left) will take on Annette Taddeo in a Sept. 26 special election. Photos courtesy of the candidates.