After a distinguished 40-year career in public service, Sen. Gwen Margolis, D-Aventura, has announced she will retire from the Senate when her term is up in November.
The announcement came abruptly in a press release Thursday morning, less than four days after Margolis, 81, came under fire in media reports across the state for disparaging and racist references she made particularly about three of her five competitors in the SD 38 race.
"It's reprehensible that three Haitians, some teacher and some lawyer think that they have the right to run against me," Margolis told the Sunny Isles Democratic Club monthly meeting Monday night. Witnesses confirmed she went on to refer to Anis Blemur, Phillip Brutus, and Daphne Campbell four more times as "those Haitians."
Teacher Don Festge, who attended the meeting and is running in the CD 38 Democratic primary, outed Margolis in a Facebook posting, discovered Tuesday by most of the Tallahassee political class.
Wrote Festge, "She ... looked at me and said, 'I've been in office for over 40 years, what does some teacher know about Tallahassee and how to run the Senate?'As she was ending her talk, she said, 'I have unlimited funds and I'm going to spend every penny and I'm NOT going to lose to those three Haitians or some teacher or lawyer.' The entire room was in shock ..."
Margolis made no reference to her comments Monday night in her statement to the press Thursday.
“My passion has been to serve the people of Florida and my commitment from day one was to make our community a better place for all," she said. "I look back at 40 years of public service with great humility and joy as I reflect on all the work we accomplished to empower people’s lives. It has been a remarkable journey and one that has allowed me to see how our county, state and nation evolved on so many issues.”
The Miami-Dade senator indeed has been a trailblazer in Florida.
Margolis broke the glass ceiling in Florida in 1990 when she became the first woman to lead a state senate. Her time in the Florida Legislature and on the Miami-Dade County Commission, where she served as chairwoman, has been marked by many successful initiatives and programs, including enshrining in the state constitution Government in the Sunshine.
Here's what others said about Margolis in making her retirement announcement:
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Allison Tant: “Senator Margolis shattered glass ceilings in 1990 when she ascended, with the support of her peers, as the first woman to serve as Senate president. She set a mark in history that will always be remembered and one that the Democratic Party is forever grateful for. I know she will continue to do great things in her community and her leadership will be missed in the Florida Senate.”
Incoming Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon: “Serving with Gwen Margolis has been a true treasure because of her passion to be a fierce advocate for our community. There are few leaders in our state with the leadership and presence like Gwen Margolis and the Florida Senate and Democratic Caucus will always be grateful for her service. I know I will continue to see Gwen lend her passion to important causes in our community of Miami-Dade County.”
Margolis’ campaign consultant, Christian Ulvert: “Gwen Margolis has never been afraid to stand up for the values and principles that make us all proud Democrats. She was an early voice in the fight for equality and justice and it’s because of leaders like Gwen that LGBT Floridians today have been able to knock down barriers. She is a role model to many and a friend to all.”
Said Margolis in conclusion, “I am guided by the belief that one must leave your community a better place from where you started. Today, I am proud to say that we have done that. The last 40 years have been a blessing because so many milestones and history making moments were reached on behalf of Miami-Dade and Florida. I look forward to the journey ahead as I continue to lend my voice and leadership on issues that will take our community to new heights.”
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
