Republican gubernatorial nominee Ron DeSantis urged Floridians not to “monkey this up” by voting for his Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum. Gillum is the first African-American gubernatorial nominee in Florida’s history.

Ron DeSantis tells Floridians to not "monkey this up" by voting for his Democratic opponent, Andrew Gillum. pic.twitter.com/mz1hqHa21e — TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) August 29, 2018

“It’s disgusting that Ron DeSantis is launching his general election campaign with racist dog whistles,” the Florida Democratic Party chairwoman, Terrie Rizzo, said in a statement soon after the Fox News appearance.

Allegra Kirkland contributed reporting.

H/t @stevemorris__