(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) The culmination of a years-long rivalry between California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is set to unfold in the months ahead as the two political heavyweights face off in a televised debate on Fox News.
The highly anticipated clash is scheduled for Nov. 30 and will take place in Georgia, promising a potential showdown of 90 minutes between the two political figures.
Sean Hannity, the anchor who will moderate the debate, expressed his eagerness for the debate. “I’m looking forward to providing viewers with an informative debate about the everyday issues and governing philosophies that impact the lives of every American,” Hannity told Fox News on Monday.
Decline is a choice and success is attainable. As President, I will lead America’s revival.
I look forward to the opportunity to debate Gavin Newsom over our very different visions for the future of our country. pic.twitter.com/wuh0jRXFdg
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) September 25, 2023
The idea of this heated debate can be traced back to June when Newsom, a Democrat, made an appearance in a contentious Hannity interview. It was there that the idea for a debate first surfaced, with DeSantis, a Republican, promptly accepting the challenge. “Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where — we’ll do it,” DeSantis remarked.
The rivalry between the two governors has been a matter of public jabs since 2022, with Newsom running a political ad in July 2022 urging Florida voters to flee the Sunshine State. The ad added fuel to the allegations that Newsom eyed a potential bid for the White House in 2024.
BREAKING: Gavin Newsom V. Ron DeSantis Debate hosted by Hannity will take place on November 30th at 9pm ET in Georgia on Fox News.
Who do you think will win this debate, and why?
Should the White House view this as a positive or negative to Biden?
I believe it will be an… pic.twitter.com/fFSfq2GBkA
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) September 25, 2023
“Republican leaders – they’re banning books, making it harder to vote, restricting speech in classrooms, even criminalizing women and doctors,” Newsom claimed of DeSantis’s pledge to fight against radical gender ideology. “I urge all of you to join the fight, or join us in California, where we still believe in freedom.”
The Newsom ad running in Florida invites a DeSantis rejoinder referencing two Californias: the one with homeless encampments on streets lined with poop and used needles, and the other where elites like Newsom violate lockdown to dine at the French Laundry. pic.twitter.com/ejWXyuuTJN
— Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) July 3, 2022
In response, DeSantis filmed a counter-ad in San Francisco, criticizing the city’s policies and calling it “collapsed.”
“It’s really collapsed because of leftist policies, and these policies have caused people to flee this area,” DeSantis remarked in the video, posted on June 20. “They don’t prosecute criminals like they do in most parts of the country, and the wreckage is really sad to see.”
DeSantis is also scheduled to appear in the upcoming second GOP primary debate on Fox Business.
Leadership matters. Cities like San Francisco that have embraced leftist policies have destroyed the quality of life of their citizens and sparked an exodus of productive people to greener pastures. We need to restore sanity across this country. pic.twitter.com/LF86omZ1e6
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) June 20, 2023
