Politixia
Florida gubernatorial candidate Dayna Marie Foster was called the N-word during a TikTok Live discussion about the governor’s race, 10 days before Florida’s Democratic primary.
The Aug. 8 broadcast was a collaboration with social media influencer @AmandaInformed. Foster’s campaign provided The Black Wall Street Times with additional details about the incident after BWST reviewed video of the exchange.
The discussion included participants and constituents talking about Florida’s gubernatorial race. At one point, a commenter was brought into the live broadcast to join the conversation.
The participant then used the N-word against Foster. The racial slur is clearly audible in a recording of the broadcast reviewed by BWST.
The person was not affiliated with Foster’s campaign or the host, according to Foster’s campaign. The individual was immediately removed from the live conversation following the incident.
“This is about more than what was said to me,” Foster said. “Black women are expected to walk into rooms, lead, achieve, speak up, and somehow remain unshaken when our dignity is attacked.”
“We are expected to carry disrespect quietly and keep moving,” Foster continued. “I refuse to accept that as normal.”
Racist attack comes days before Florida Democratic primary
Dayna Marie Foster is one of six Democrats seeking their party’s nomination for Florida governor in the Aug. 18 primary.
Florida Division of Elections records show Foster filed to run in August 2025 and officially qualified for the ballot June 10, 2026.
The Fort Lauderdale public-school teacher faces Evelyn Castillo-Bach, Thomas Eloy Fernandez, David Jolly, Dotie Joseph and Stephann Norman for the Democratic nomination.
The winner will advance to November’s general election.
Foster has positioned herself as a grassroots candidate focused on working Floridians. Her campaign platform includes education, affordable housing, health care access and economic opportunity.
The Aug. 8 incident also illustrates the potential for candidates to face direct harassment in online political forums.
Unlike traditional campaign events, live social media discussions can allow members of the public to interact directly with candidates. In this case, the participant was allowed into the conversation before directing the slur at Foster.
Dayna Marie Foster campaign reports other racist rhetoric and threats
Foster’s campaign told BWST that the Aug. 8 incident was not the only racial hostility it has encountered during the gubernatorial race.
“The campaign has encountered other instances of racist rhetoric, threats, and harassment throughout this race,” the campaign told BWST.
Campaign officials said they are “working to bring awareness to the appropriate parties regarding these experiences.”
The campaign did not provide BWST with documentation or specific details about the other alleged threats and incidents. It also did not specify whether formal reports had been made to law enforcement or Florida election officials.
Foster’s campaign said those experiences come alongside other barriers it believes she has encountered as a Black woman mounting a grassroots statewide campaign.
Those challenges include running with limited institutional support and resources, according to the campaign.
“We believe this incident is important because it reflects a broader reality that should not be normalized or dismissed as simply part of participating in politics,” Foster’s campaign told BWST.
Foster similarly rejected the idea that racist abuse should be accepted as part of seeking public office.
“Someone using that word does not make me smaller,” Foster said. “It exposes how much work remains. I am still standing. I am still speaking. And I will not allow hate to have the final word.”
Florida’s Democratic gubernatorial primary is Tuesday, Aug. 18.
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