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Florida leaders denounce Langevin’s anti-Indian statements
Republican Rick Scott and members of the Florida Democratic Party condemned Chandler Langevin’s anti-Indian comments.
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Pranavi Sharma - Thu, 09, Oct 2025
- 23:43 EDT
- 29
Republican leader and Florida Senator Rick Scott, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and Democrat Rishi Bagga. / Wikipedia/Facebook
Republican leader and Florida Senator Rick Scott and some members of the Florida Democratic Party have condemned racist comments made by Palm Bay Councilman Chandler Langevin against Indian Americans, calling his remarks unacceptable and unfit for public office. The backlash has triggered a political and community outcry, with the Palm Bay Council voting to remove him and requesting Governor Ron DeSantis’s approval.
Senator Scott said there is “no place for hate in Florida”, adding that the Indian American community “are proud Americans and make the country great”. His statement echoed a rare moment of bipartisan unity as both Republican and Democratic leaders rebuked Langevin’s language.
ALSO READ: AAHOA criticizes anti-Indian comments by Florida City Council member
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried called Langevin’s comments “vile and reprehensible,” saying, “The people of Palm Bay deserve better leadership than someone who so proudly displays his hateful ignorance through divisive and racist rhetoric.” Fried added that the party stands “in solidarity with our Indian American neighbors” and will work to ensure “Florida’s elected officials represent the best of our shared values.”
Rishi Bagga, a member of the party’s Rules Committee, described Langevin’s behavior as “abhorrent and disgraceful.” He said Indian Americans “cannot stand for those who question their loyalty to this country and their commitment to the American Dream.”
ALSO READ: Florida city backs Indian American contributions amid hate speech
The controversy began when Langevin posted on social media, “There is not a single Indian in the US who cares about the United States. They only care about enriching India and Indians, exploiting the US financially.” Though he later deleted the post, Langevin refused to apologize, claiming his comments referred only to “illegals or visa holders.”
Democratic Representative Fentrice Driskell also condemned the remarks, calling them “ignorant and anti-American.” She said, “Langevin has a history of bigoted attacks against people that don’t look like him. He has shown again and again that he is unfit to be a leader in his community.”
Public anger was visible at the Oct. 2 Palm Bay Council meeting, where hundreds of Indian Americans gathered demanding Langevin’s ouster. The council later voted to remove him and urged Governor DeSantis to take action. The governor has yet to issue a response.
ALSO READ: Palm Bay council moves to suspend Langevin for anti-Indian remarks
Langevin has continued to defend himself online. In a post on X, he wrote, “The community of Americans with Indian heritage were taken for a goat rope by the leftists and Republican politicians fell for it.” He said he plans to hold “important dialogue” with Indian community leaders next week but maintained that “the left is the threat.”
The uproar comes amid renewed debate over the H-1B visa program, an issue that has divided state politics. Governor DeSantis has previously criticized the program, though his office has not commented on its connection to Langevin’s remarks.
The incident has intensified calls for accountability and reinforced bipartisan condemnation of racist rhetoric. Senator Scott’s comments and the Florida Democratic Party’s unified response signal a broader demand for respect and inclusivity in Florida’s political discourse.
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