Newsom bought $105,000 worth of spots that began airing on Fox News in Florida, sparking chatter about a possible 2024 presidential run — especially if Joe Biden chooses not to seek a second term. The ads also raised the temperature in the country’s fiercest ruling competition. While the 30-second spot doesn’t mention DeSantis by name, Newsom takes aim at several of the Florida conservative’s signature legislative accomplishments. “It’s Independence Day,” Newsom tells the camera while dressed in a white shirt and standing in a lushly landscaped yard. “So let’s talk about what’s going on in America.” The ad then cuts to an ominously distorted image of DeSantis — himself a potential 2024 White House contender — and former President Donald Trump. “Freedom is under attack in your state,” Newsom says. “Republican leaders – ban books. Making it harder to vote. 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 a 15-week abortion ban. In an image of a pristine California beach, Newsom encourages Floridians to help him fight the GOP — and even consider moving to his home state. “I encourage all of you who live in Florida to join the fight,” Newsom states. “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 returning fire. Florida Department of Health spokesman Jeremy Redfern tweeted a grim quartet of photos showing various homeless encampments in California and a trash-strewn beach. “Shouldn’t you be worried about California?” He wrote. DeSantis’ re-election campaign also mocked Newsom’s relocation effort. 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 light a pile of cash on fire,” campaign spokesman Dave Abrams said in a statement. “Pass the popcorn for his desperate attempt to win 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 culture war general. “I don’t look to that particular governor for inspiration,” Newsom said of his Florida counterpart in March, downplaying his outspoken theatrics. DeSantis was equally forceful in his denunciation of Newsom and his administration in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom has stepped up his attacks on DeSantis and the GOP in recent months. “Yes, there are a lot of Californians who like what we’re doing and who come, but even those who are anti-Florida usually find their way here,” DeSantis told Fox News in March. Both men face re-election as governors in November and have dismissed speculation about their presidential ambitions. The California Department of Finance reported in May that the state’s population fell by 117,552 in 2021 after a larger decline of 182,083 in 2020. Meanwhile, census data shows Florida’s population grew by 211,000 between July 2020 and July 2021.
