Legislator Accused of Racism Over Remark

Assemblyman Richard Floyd of Wilmington was accused of racism Wednesday by a Latina legislator when he suggested that her heritage assured a favorable vote for a bill.

“That’s a racist comment,” a shocked and angry Assemblywoman Martha M. Escutia (D-Bell) shouted at fellow Democrat Floyd at a hearing.

Later, Escutia denounced Floyd, who is legendary for his public profanities and rudeness, as a “smartass” who deeply humiliated her.

The extraordinary exchange occurred during an especially tumultuous hearing of the Assembly Labor Committee, which Floyd heads.

At issue was a bill that would exempt 14- and 15-year-old batboys and batgirls who work for professional teams from a state law that prohibits them from working after 7 p.m. on school nights.

Two batboys, Keith Jorgensen, 15, of the minor league Stockton Ports, and Jose Bedoya, 18, of the Modesto A’s, appeared in uniform to testify in favor of the bill.

In response to questions, Jorgensen told Floyd that he plays baseball for his high school team. Bedoya said he plays ball in what he described as a Mexican American league.

At that point, Floyd interrupted to declare, “Well, you’ve got a couple of votes,” a clear reference to committee members Escutia and Assemblywoman Diane Martinez (D-Los Angeles), who are of Latino ancestry.

As members of the audience gasped in astonishment, Escutia accused Floyd of making a racist remark. Martinez, who sat next to Escutia, made no comment at the hearing and later refused to talk to a reporter.

Escutia left the hearing briefly and returned, still visibly upset and angry.

“I think he was trying to be a smartass, but deep down in my heart I don’t believe the guy is a racist. For some reason that comment came off as racist and insensitive,” she told a reporter later.

“I felt the most humiliated I have ever felt. It really shocked me. I’m just going through shock right now. Maybe tomorrow, I’ll be [expletive] pissed,” she said.

Later, Floyd approached Escutia and apologized, she said. “He said . . . he didn’t mean it to be racist. I called him a dingbat.”

She said he offered to let her take a few free punches at him.

At the start of the hearing, Floyd drew groans from spectators when he invited a young woman, whom he called “sweetheart,” to take a seat in the front row because “I want to keep an eye on you.”

He also scolded the batboys for failing to remove their caps when addressing the committee. “I’m not impressed by young people who show disrespect for the house by keeping their damned hats on,” he said.