Florida Senator Blaise Ingoglia Wants to ‘Repeal the Democratic Party’ for Previously Supporting Slavery

TALLAHASSEE, Florida. A Florida legislator filed a so-called “Permanent Repeal Act” that would have called on the Electoral Division to deregister any political party that “previously campaigned or supported slavery or involuntary slavery.”

State Senator Blaise Ingola, R-Spring Hill State, Filed SB 1248 on Tuesday.

If passed, the law would also affect voters of any such political party by automatically changing their status to non-party affiliation.

Because Florida is a closed primary state, any registered voter of an excluded party will not be able to participate in the primary unless he or she changes party affiliation.

Under the proposed law, any canceled political party would be required to re-register no later than six months before any election in which the party seeks to nominate a candidate for office.

“For years, activists on the left have tried to exclude people and companies because of what they have said or done in the past,” Ingoglia said in a statement. “This includes removing statues and memorials and renaming buildings. Using this standard, it would be hypocritical not to abolish the Democratic Party itself for the same reason.”

A press release from Ingoglia’s office announcing the bill’s filing alleges that the Democratic Party took the pro-slavery position on its platforms during the party conventions of 1840, 1844, 1856, 1860, and 1864.

“Some people want to have uncomfortable conversations about certain topics,” Ingoglia said. “Let’s have these conversations.”

Former Florida Agriculture Commissioner and failed gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried told reporters she was not surprised by the new legislation. Freed was recently elected chairman of the Florida Democratic Party.

“Shame on the Radical Republican Party for initiating some piece of legislation on this scale,” Fried said. “That’s what a dictator does. That’s what a fascist does.”

If passed, the law will enter into force on July 1.