Assemblyman Accused by Colleague of Being ‘Racist’

A Northern California Democratic assemblyman called a Southern California Republican colleague a “racist” Monday during heated debate on a resolution asking Congress to deny tax-exempt status to social clubs that discriminate on the basis of age, sex, national origin or ancestry.

Assemblyman Elihu M. Harris (D-Oakland), a black who is running for mayor of Oakland, used the term in reference to Assemblyman Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach), who questioned the merits of the resolution. It ultimately was approved and sent to the Senate on a 44-20 vote.

“He (Ferguson) liked the Constitution the way it was written when I was a slave,” Harris said. “If it was up to him, I’d still be a slave. He’s a racist. I know he is.”

Partial Apology

Ferguson, who denies that he is a racist, requested an apology from Harris and received a partial one. Both political parties held closed-door caucuses to discuss the tense incident.

“I ask Mr. Harris as a gentleman to apologize for his statement,” Ferguson said.

Harris softened his criticism without backing down entirely.

“Quite frankly, that’s the way I feel, and I can’t change the way I feel,” Harris said. “I did not mean to offend Mr. Ferguson. I like Mr. Ferguson. I do apologize if I offended him because that was not my intention.”

‘Fair Game’

After the session was over, Ferguson, a former Marine officer who fought in three wars, said, “He (Harris) called me the nicest racist he’s ever known. He didn’t really apologize.

“But he’s running for mayor and I understand that. Anything is fair game in politics when you’re running for office.”

The Southern California lawmaker added that he does not plan any move to censure Harris for his “racist” charge.

“It would be possible, but I’m not going to do that,” Ferguson said. “If this plays well in his district, that’s fine.”

The measure passed after caucuses by both parties.

Federal law already denies tax-exempt status to social clubs that discriminate on the basis of race, color or religion.