Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) chief spokesman is moving on to his re-election campaign.
Christina Pushaw started working in the governor’s office as DeSantis’ press secretary a little more than a year ago, but in that time she’s earned a reputation among Florida politicians and journalists for her combative online presence and frequent spats with reporters and just about anyone willing to pick on her. criticized boss.
Pushaw also faced intense scrutiny earlier this summer after The Washington Post reported that she registered as a foreign agent because of previous work she did on behalf of the president of Georgia. DeSantis defended her in the face of criticism, calling it “slander” against his press secretary.
Her decision to leave her post in the governor’s office to work on the campaign came as no surprise. Pushaw retweeted a copy of his resignation letter on Friday along with a brief note: “The gloves are now off.”
The Florida Standard, a conservative news site in the state, first reported Pushaw’s resignation.
She is expected to serve as director of rapid response for DeSantis’ re-election campaign, a position that will almost certainly allow her to reprise her role as the governor’s most aggressive defender. Brian Griffin, the deputy press secretary for DeSantis’ office, will replace Pushaw as press secretary in the governor’s office.
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DeSantis himself is a polarizing figure. He became a rising star among conservatives in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic for his pushback against federal public health experts and his disdain for coronavirus restrictions.
Democrats, meanwhile, sought to portray DeSantis as a fringe political figure with an “authoritarian streak,” arguing that he overstepped the bounds of his power to punish his critics and implement a hardline agenda.
Still, he appears in solid position to win a second term in the governor’s mansion in November. He faces no primary opposition and polls show him leading both of his top Democratic rivals, Rep. Charlie Crist and State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried.
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