Agriculture secretary says Florida gubernatorial race is 'so cotton-pickin' important'

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Saturday came under fire for using a phrase referring to the historic enslavement of African Americans in describing the import of the Florida gubernatorial race between Ron DeSantis (R) and Andrew Gillum (D), who is black.

"Public policy matters. Leadership matters," Purdue said at a campaign rally. "And that is why this election is so cotton-pickin' important to the state of Florida. I hope you all don't mess it up." The DeSantis campaign told Politico to "ask Governor Perdue about any of his remarks," adding, "We were happy to have him in Polk County campaigning with us."

DeSantis himself previously said Gillum is "articulate" but voters shouldn't "monkey this up" by electing him. He has insisted the comments were not about race.

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"[DeSantis] has only continued in the course of his campaign to draw all the attention he can to the color of my skin," Gillum responded at a debate in October. "The truth is, I've been black all of my life. So far as I know, I will die black."