Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) is issuing a challenge to a Democratic governor involving the 2024 presidential race.
On Thursday, DeSantis was asked if he would debate California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
“It’s interesting. He’s got huge problems in his state,” the Florida governor responded.
He continued:
“California, from its inception, gained population every single year until he became governor. I mean, California was probably the height of opportunity for middle-class Americans for many, many decades in this country. No one would leave there… people were drawn to there. And yet, he’s the first governor that’s overseen a massive exodus out of California.”
Watch the video below:
#BREAKING: DeSantis on if he would take on @GavinNewsom in a debate, tells him to stop "pussy footing"
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) June 15, 2023
"Stop pussy footing around! Are you gonna throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe? […] Or are you gonna sit on the sidelines and chirp? pic.twitter.com/0r8jqM2Bla
DeSantis argued, “And yet, with all those problems, he has a real serious fixation on the state of Florida. I mean, I think it’s bizarre that he does that.”
He issued a challenge to Newsom as he said, “Stop pussyfooting around. Are you going to throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe?”
“Are you going to get in and do it? Or are you going to sit on the sidelines and chirp?” he asked.
In 2022, there was speculation Newsom might run for president in 2024.
However, he told Politico’s Jonathan Martin in Nov. 2022, he would not challenge President Joe Biden for the Democratic Party’s nomination.
“I’ve told everyone in the White House, from the chief of staff to the first lady,” he said.
Newsom added he is “all in” on Biden’s re-election effort.
During an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Newsom said he would agree to a two-hour debate with DeSantis.
“Make it three,” the California governor said, adding, “I would do it one day’s notice with no notes.”
He added, “I look forward to that.”
