Florida Governor and GOP presidential hopeful, Ron DeSantis, has accepted California Governor Gavin Newsom’s invitation to participate in a live TV debate. During an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, DeSantis confirmed his willingness to engage in a televised debate with the Democratic Governor.
The idea of a debate between the two governors first emerged in June when Newsom expressed his readiness to engage in a three-hour standoff with DeSantis during an interview with Hannity.
DeSantis responded positively, stating, ”Absolutely I’m game, let’s get it done, just tell me when and where. We will do it.”
Desantis says he will now accept Gavin Newsom’s offer to debate him. pic.twitter.com/4pIIXlcl7R
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) August 3, 2023
While the debate date is yet to be decided, Newsom’s team has proposed November as a potential time frame. In their letter, they outlined specific rules for the debate, including a 90-minute format aired by Fox News, moderated by Sean Hannity, and without a live audience. The suggested locations for the debate are Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina.
After agreeing to the debate, DeSantis highlighted Florida’s appeal by stating that the debate about California and Florida’s merits has already occurred, with people voting with their feet by leaving California for Florida.
Newsom, on the other hand, expressed enthusiasm for the debate and assured Hannity that he would be prepared to participate with only one day’s notice and no notes.
The tension between the two governors escalated when migrants from the Texas border were flown to Sacramento, California, with Florida’s assistance. DeSantis argued that states like California and New York should bear the responsibility of “open border” policies.
In response, Newsom criticized DeSantis, calling him a “small, pathetic man” and threatened to bring kidnapping charges against his administration for the migrants’ transportation to California under false pretenses.
