Racist text messages have surfaced from a former Florida county commissioner who is seeking re-election.
According to CBS 42, text messages from former Walton County commissioner Trey Nick were made public from a 2022 court case.
Nick sent the racist messages in a group chat with former assistant county attorney Heather Maxwell and current commissioner Tony Anderson. In the messages, Nick said there were "plenty of N-words out this evening” and sent a photo of two Black men in a car. A text called the two men monkeys at the circus.
At the time, Nick was serving as the District 4 commissioner. He is currently running for a District 1 seat.
“This is coming from public officials, elected officials, people we put our trust in and this can’t be tolerated,” Frank Guillory, NAACP Chapter President, said in a statement.
Citizens and activists shared their outrage over the messages at a board meeting in DeFuniak Springs earlier this month.
“Silence is acceptance, and when we hear silence, we hear acceptance. I’m standing before you not being silent that I don’t accept it, I don’t appreciate it, it’s unwarranted and unjust,” resident Todd Roark said.
“It’s disturbing. We’re all adults. This is not 1860 or 1850. This is 2024 and it’s about time we grow up as individuals and human beings and start showing some respect for each other,” Guillory added.
In a statement, Anderson, who wasn't present at the meeting, denied any wrongdoing and condemned the messages.
“As everyone knows, I did not write or reply to any of the text messages that you are referencing and neither did my aide. My friends and neighbors, and the residents of Walton County, know that I treat everyone with dignity and respect. The racist language in those messages is offensive and hurtful and should never be used. As I said yesterday, after the horrific assassination attempt against President Trump, we must reject division and pray to god for the healing our country needs.”
Nick hasn't publicly addressed the texts. He is still listed as an active candidate for the November 5 general election.
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