Tension continues to rise between California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). Both have been launching criticism at each other for months leading up to Governor DeSantis’ presidential announcement. While Newsom is expected to be throwing his name in the 2024 race, he hasn’t announced anything yet. Team DeSantis has now released an advertisement, chiding Newsom for “deteriorating California.”
Last week, DeSantis responded to comments from Newsom, questioning why Newsom has a “fixation” with Florida given the pressing concerns with his own state.
“Yet with all of these problems, he has a real, serious fixation on Florida; I mean, I think it’s just bizarre that he does that. But what I would tell him is, you know what? Stop pussyfooting around,” DeSantis said during a press conference, calling on Newsom to enter the presidential race.
“Are you going to throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe? Are you going to do it? Or are you going to sit on the sidelines and chirp? Why don’t you throw your hat in the ring, and then we’ll go ahead and talk about what’s happening,” DeSantis questioned.
In a new advertisement called "California Deteriorates While Florida Thrives," Team DeSantis makes a distinction between both governors, saying that "as California has experienced a rapid decline by way of fleeing population, deepening homeless crisis, crime-ridden cities, and corporations moving businesses away from ridiculous regulations and tax burdens," Florida has improved by becoming "the fastest-growing state in the nation," experiencing "historically low unemployment," and transforming "into a state that supports law enforcement."
Team DeSantis argues that "people vote with their feet," which is why "people have fled from California to Florida."
Both Newsom and DeSantis have traded verbal jabs for months as Newsom calls California the true state of freedom in contrast to DeSantis' defense of "the Free State of Florida."
