Carlos Beruff, a Republican running to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate, was unapologetic after video surfaced Sunday of him calling President Obama an “animal.”

“Unfortunately, for seven and a half years this animal we call President, because he’s an animal, OK — seven and a half years, has surgically and with thought and very smart, intelligent manner, destroyed this country and dismantled the military under not one, not two, but three secretary of defenses,” Beruff said in a speech in St. John’s County, according to The Tampa Bay Times.

Beruff’s opponents quickly called for him to apologize. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL) called Beruff’s words “extremely disrespectful” and said he had a “clear record of bigotry,” according to the newspaper.

Beruff didn’t back down, saying through a spokesman that Murphy owed an apology for “aiding President Obama in making America weaker.”

“When liberals like young Congressman Patrick Murphy cannot defend their views they resort to name calling and the politics of racial division,” the spokesman, Chris Hartline, told the Times.

Primary opponent Rep. David Jolly (R-FL) also called Beruff’s words an “alarming insult” and said he should apologize, according to the newspaper.

Listen to his comments: