The feud between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been heating up in recent weeks, with both politicians taking jabs at each other in public appearances. The latest skirmish began when DeSantis taunted Newsom to challenge President Joe Biden in the 2024 election, asking him if he was going to “throw his hat in the ring” or just “sit on the sidelines and chirp”. Newsom responded by saying that he talks to Biden all the time and is “dead serious” about his political ambitions, but did not directly address DeSantis’ challenge.
The two governors have been exchanging incendiary rhetoric for the past two years, with Newsom taking jabs at prominent GOP figures such as Texas Governor Greg Abbott and DeSantis.[0] Newsom has been trying to strengthen his national name recognition and aggressively challenge Republican rhetoric, while DeSantis has been positioning himself as a potential presidential candidate for the GOP in 2024.[0]
The rivalry between the two governors has been fueled by their differing political ideologies, with DeSantis championing conservative policies and Newsom promoting progressive ones. Newsom has criticized DeSantis for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, while DeSantis has accused Newsom of mismanaging California’s economy and social issues.
The latest exchange between the two governors began when Newsom appeared on the Sean Hannity show and criticized DeSantis’ policies on guns and immigration. Newsom proposed a 28th Amendment to the US Constitution that would legalize California-style controls on guns, while DeSantis fired back by releasing a new ad critical of Newsom’s governorship ahead of a visit to Northern California.[1]
The ad accused Newsom of mismanaging California’s economy and social issues, and claimed that the state was losing residents to states like Florida due to “better governance”. DeSantis also accused Newsom of being fixated on Florida, saying that it was “bizarre” that he was so preoccupied with the state.
Despite their public sparring, both governors have denied that they are planning to run for president in 2024. Newsom has repeatedly said that he is supporting Biden for reelection and praised his “record of substantive accomplishments”, while DeSantis has said that he is focused on his role as governor of Florida and is not interested in running for president at this time.[2]
However, the rivalry between the two governors is likely to continue, as they both seek to position themselves as national figures and potential presidential candidates in the future. With the 2024 election still three years away, it remains to be seen whether either governor will throw their hat in the ring and challenge Biden for the White House.
0. “Gavin Newsom says Fox News, host Sean Hannity are on a ‘doom loop about California’” Sacramento Bee, 19 Jun. 2023, https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article276491206.html
1. “Gov. DeSantis Releases New Ad Bashing Newsom Before Sacramento Fundraising Visit” California Globe, 19 Jun. 2023, https://californiaglobe.com/governor/desantis-releases-new-ad-bashing-newsom-and-california-issues-before-sacramento-fundraising-visit
2. “DeSantis taunts Newsom about 2024: ‘Stop pussyfooting around'” Business Insider, 15 Jun. 2023, https://www.businessinsider.com/desantis-taunts-newsom-about-2024-presidential-race-stop-pussyfooting-around-2023-6
