Toward the end of the 2022 midterm elections, Gov. Gavin Newsom wanted to debate — but not his Republican challenger. Instead, he sought to square off with his counterpart on the opposite side of the country, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
A pre-Election Day traditional debate did not materialize between the two governors. Still, they’ve long been sparring — on social media, in interviews and in speeches — as their political clout in their respective parties rises.
And this weekend, as speculations of a potential 2024 White House bid continue for the Republican, DeSantis is heading to the bluer grounds of California.
DeSantis is first scheduled to appear at a sold-out event at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley on Sunday, March 5, to promote his new book, “The Courage to Be Free: Florida’s Blueprint for America’s Revival.” He’s then slated to attend a reception and dinner hosted by the Republican Party of Orange County.
“Ron DeSantis isn’t coming to California to throw shade on Gavin Newsom, that’s just an added benefit,” said Dan Schnur, a former campaign consultant who teaches about political messaging at UC Berkeley and USC. “Make no mistake, though, he’s here for the cash and the connections.”
“But the trip does work to both of their benefits. Both governors get the chance to contrast themselves against someone who their own base can’t stand,” Schnur added.
The two coastal state governors have butted heads over reproductive health care access, COVID-19 mandates, immigration policies and much, much more, putting their differences aside only in the wake of disasters like last year’s Hurricane Ian.
“They are extremely different ideologically, but when it comes to political positioning and ambition, they are mirror images,” Schnur said. “One of these reasons they might bug each other so much is because of how similar they are in everything but ideology.”
Yet, as DeSantis makes his trip, it’s not just his foil…
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