After making inflammatory remarks about his African-American colleagues, Sen. Frank Artiles resigned from the state legislature. Artiles faced mounting pressure to step down following an outburst at a private Tallahassee club directed toward Democratic Sens. Audrey Gibson and Perry Thurston. He also referred to fellow Republicans by a racial slur.

Artiles later apologized for his comments on the floor of the Senate, but it was not enough to quell the outrage from both sides of the aisle.

Gov. Rick Scott will schedule a special election to fill the Senate District 40 seat and, in the meantime, Artiles’ staff will remain in place to serve constituents.