California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has made headlines for running controversial attack ads in Florida, targeting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) after he threatened to fine the Special Olympics over its vaccine mandate. Now First Lady Casey DeSantis is pushing back against Gov. Newsom.
Newsom publicly stated that he released the attack ad on July 4th that encouraged Floridians to move to California after Ron DeSantis allegedly, "took aim," at the Special Olympics. "He did something that tipped me very directly, and that was going after the Special Olympics. I had an emotional response to that," said Governor Newsom.
The California governor also managed to get some other political shots in on the governor, such as criticizing Florida's move to pass pro-parent legislation. The Parental Rights in Education bill and ban on Critical Race Theory, among other things put DeSantis on Newsom's radar.
The aforementioned fine was a $27.5 million fine weighed by the Florida Department of Health if the Special Olympics did not drop their COVID-19 vaccine mandate for competitors. The Special Olympics eventually caved to avoid the fine and no longer required the vaccine mandate.
As altruistic as Governor Newsom wanted to seem, Casey DeSantis took to Twitter where she explained the state's stance on dropping the vaccine mandate and made a brief reference to the California governor, calling him out.
The First Lady of Florida wrote, "For those who need a reminder ... this is why we fight." Casey DeSantis then referenced the case of Isabella, a girl who competed in the Special Olympics. "Isabelle competed in the Special Olympics because [Governor DeSantis] stood up and fought for her and all the other Special Olympians who would have been sidelined."
For those who need a reminder... this is why we fight.
Isabella competed in the Special Olympics because @RonDeSantisFL stood up and fought for her and all the other Special Olympians who would have been sidelined.
We will never stop fighting for people like Isabella. pic.twitter.com/NARnZdSvaU
— Casey DeSantis (@CaseyDeSantis) July 18, 2022
In the above video, DeSantis can be seen cheering on Isabella, who competes in multiple sports, as the vaccine mandate would have barred her from being able to participate in the Special Olympics.
The move from the DeSantis Administration is also a crucial part of the state's effort to keep vaccine mandates out of regular life for Floridians. Last year DeSantis made a move to prohibit vaccine mandates for private employers, showing that the fight from Republicans against vaccine mandates is all but over.
