California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched a ground attack on Florida’s Golden State on Monday, running an ad urging Sunshine State residents fed up with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to pack up their flip-flops and head west.
Newsom bought $105,000 worth of spots that began airing on Fox News in Florida, fueling talk of a potential run for president in 2024 — especially if Joe Biden decides not to seek a second term.
The ads also raised the temperature in the nation’s fiercest gubernatorial race.
Although the 30-second spot didn’t mention DeSantis by name, Newsom took aim at several of the Florida conservative’s signature legislative accomplishments.
“It’s Independence Day,” Newsom says to the camera while wearing a white shirt and standing in a lushly landscaped backyard. “So let’s talk about what’s going on in America.”
The ad then cuts to an eerily distorted image of DeSantis — himself a potential contender for the White House in 2024 — and former President Donald Trump.
“Freedom is under attack in your state,” Newsom says. “The Republican leaders—they’re banning the books. Impeding voting. Limiting speech in classrooms. Even criminalizing women and doctors.
The California governor was referring to Florida’s ban on critical race theory in classrooms, a ban on teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity for children in kindergarten through fourth grade and the state’s ban on 15-week abortions.
With an image of a pristine California beach, Newsom is encouraging Floridians to help him fight the GOP — and even consider moving to his state.
“I’m calling on all of you Florida residents to join the fight,” Newsom said. “Or join us in California where we still believe in freedom.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched an ad campaign urging Florida residents to leave.YouTube/Gavin Newsom
DeSantis’ aides wasted little time in responding to the fire.
Florida Department of Health spokesman Jeremy Redfern tweeted a grim quartet of photos showing various California homeless encampments and a trash-strewn beach.
“Shouldn’t you be worried about California?” he wrote.
DeSantis’ re-election campaign also mocked Newsom’s attempted relocation.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is encouraging Floridians to help him fight the GOP — and even consider moving to his state. YouTube/Gavin Newsom
“Gavin Newsom might as well set a pile of money on fire,” campaign spokesman Dave Abrams said in a statement. “Pass the popcorn for his desperate attempt to get back the California refugees who fled the hell he created in his home state to come to Florida.”
Newsom has stepped up his attacks on DeSantis and the GOP in recent months, positioning himself as a field general in the culture war.
“I’m not looking to this particular governor for inspiration,” Newsom said of his Florida counterpart in March, dismissing his outspoken manner as theatrical.
DeSantis was equally vigorous in his condemnation of Newsom and his governance of California.
In recent months, Gov. Gavin Newsom has stepped up his attacks on DeSantis and the GOP.
“Yes, there are a lot of Californians who like what we’re doing who come, but even those who oppose Florida usually find their way here,” DeSantis said on Fox News in March.
Both men face gubernatorial re-election in November and have dismissed speculation about their presidential aspirations.
The California Department of Finance reported in May that the state’s population shrank by 117,552 in 2021 after a larger decline of 182,083 in 2020. Meanwhile, census data showed Florida’s population grew by 211,000 between July 2020 and July 2021
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