In a surprising move, Californian Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) ran a TV advertisement asking Floridians to “join us in California.”
The ad is reported to cost $105,000 and aired on Fox News airwaves across the Sunshine State on July 4.
“It’s independence day, so let’s talk about what’s going on in America. Freedom? It’s under attack in your state,” Newsom begins. “I urge all of you to join the fight or join us in California, where we still believe in freedom.”
The ad targeted the conservative policies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), including his crusades against LGBTQ groups and his actions to punish Disney.
“Your Republican leaders? They’re banning books and making it harder to vote,” Newsom continued, adding that abortion and marijuana were being criminalized as well by DeSantis.
Christina Pushaw, a close ally of DeSantis, fired back at Newsom, calling his ad a “desperate attempt” at diverting attention away from the “dystopian” state of California.
DeSantis began the mudslinging after calling San Francisco a “dumpster fire.”
The ad is viewed by political observers as an attempt to raise Newsom’s national image. It has long been suspected that Newsom would run for the Democratic nomination in 2024 or in a future cycle.
Both governors will be up for re-election in 2024.
