Gov. Gavin Newsom is running for reelection in California, but his latest television ad is airing in Florida, claiming that the politicians of California “still believe in freedom.”
“I urge all you living in Florida to join the fight”
This appears to be the ad Newsom is running on Fox News in Florida this weekend.
pic.twitter.com/P0IcpkVU7T— Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) July 3, 2022
The 30-second spot scheduled to air on Fox News starting Monday takes shots at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his policies, while drawing a contrast with California.
“Freedom, it’s under attack in your state. Republican leaders, they’re banning books, making it harder to vote, restricting speech in classrooms, even criminalizing women and doctors,” Newsom says while images of DeSantis and former President Donald Trump flash on screen.
“I urge all of you living in Florida to join the fight. Or join us in California, where we still believe in freedom — freedom of speech, freedom to choose, freedom from hate and the freedom to love,” Newsom says.
Newsom has said he has no interest in running for president, but the ad is sure to stoke speculation that the 54-year-old Democrat is eyeing national office. DeSantis is a potential 2024 GOP candidate for the White House.
Newsom handily beat back a recall attempt last year and is expected to cruise to reelection in November.
Social media users had a lot to say about Newsom’s invitation to Floridians:
I live in Los Angeles. I love this place but it’s becoming simply unlivable and I only go into the city if absolutely necessary. It’s unrecognizable from just a few short years ago. Tent cities on virtually every major street and crime rampant. High taxes and low return.
— CharlesTaylor (@chuckiet24) July 3, 2022
Thanks Gav, but since I moved here from a solid blue state, I couldn’t be happier. Keep your socialism in CA.
— Jack (@caribeanpirate) July 3, 2022
No one is ever moving TO California, in fact, they’re all leaving FOR Florida
— Erica Kaiser (@EricaKaiser_) July 3, 2022
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press.
