Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to guests at the Republican Party of Iowa 2023 Lincoln Dinner in Des Moines, Iowa on July 28, 2023. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has agreed to participate in a discussion with California Governor Gavin Newsom that Sean Hannity of Fox News will moderate. SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGES
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has agreed to a proposed debate with California Governor Gavin Newsom, which is set to be moderated by Fox News’s Sean Hannity.
What Happened: DeSantis confirmed his willingness to participate in the debate during an interview with Hannity, stating, “Absolutely. I’m game. Let’s get it done. Just tell me when and where. We’ll do it.”
Newsom’s office had previously sent a formal request to Fox News proposing the debate dates and conditions. The debate dates are proposed for Nov. 8 or 10.
“The debate between California and Florida is already over. People have been voting with their feet for years. But the debate about the future of our country is one we need to have,” DeSantis said.
The debate between California and Florida is already over. People have been voting with their feet for years.
But the debate about the future of our country is one we need to have.
I’m game to talk about my plans to reverse the decline in this country anytime, anywhere, because… pic.twitter.com/BbUKix8s5E
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) August 3, 2023
Why It Matters: The idea of a debate came in June during Hannity’s interview with Newsom, where the host asked if the governor would be open to debating DeSantis.
“I’m all in. Count on it,” Newsom said back then.
“Desantis should put up or shut up. Anything else is just games,” an aide to Newsom told Politico, pointing out the competitive spirit surrounding the proposed debate.
DeSantis and Newsom have fired a number of shots at each other as the Florida governor prepares to win the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election.
Newsom has targeted DeSantis on issues like abortion rights and gun control, going so far as to purchase airtime in Florida to rally residents against his policies.
In June, he also referred to DeSantis as a “small, pathetic man.”
Produced in association with Benzinga
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