In what may be the most unorthodox match-up of the 2024 presidential primary campaign to date, Florida governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and California's Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, who is not running for president, will face each other Thursday night in a debate moderated by Fox News' Sean Hannity.
At 9 p.m. ET, the two will be taking part in what Fox News is billing as "The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate." The two will debate for 90 minutes in Alpharetta, Georgia, and then will each speak to the press afterward.
Why are DeSantis and Newsom debating?
DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, will be debating a governor who is not running for president in 2024, but the rivalry between the two has been building for years, as they had opposite responses to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their public disagreements and spats over education, immigration and economic policy have also increased in the last two years.
In September 2022, a debate between Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis was first proposed by Newsom on CNN. The idea was raised again by Hannity in a June 2023 interview with Newsom, and he agreed to it. A few months later, in August, DeSantis expressed his willingness to participate, stating, "Let's get it done. Just tell me when and where."
Hannity privately negotiated with both camps to finalize arrangements for the debate, according to the Daily Mail.
Background on the governors
Both governors were first elected in 2018 and won re-election easily in 2022. They have been touted as the future of their respective parties. However, DeSantis has been testing that claim since he launched his bid in May. Newsom, on the other hand, is a staunch supporter and surrogate for President Biden. He has repeatedly stated that he has no plans to run for president or challenge Mr. Biden in 2024.
For over a year, the two governors have been criticizing each other in advertisements and news conferences. In 2022, Newsom ran an ad against DeSantis' policies affecting the LGBTQ community and accused him of attacking freedom in his state. DeSantis responded by criticizing California's governance and claiming that it is driving people away.
During the debate, they are likely to face questions on their handling of issues such as border policy, inflation, and the economy. Sonoma State political science professor David McCuan predicts that Newsom will try to appeal to the Fox audience by presenting himself as a moderate.
"The upcoming debate between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is generating a lot of interest and anticipation," said political analyst McCuan to CBS Sacramento.
DeSantis has been consistently suggesting that Newsom could potentially replace President Biden on the 2024 general election ballot. The DeSantis campaign has been emphasizing this point in messaging to supporters and donors, stating that the debate will provide an opportunity for Republicans to contrast their vision for the future with the perceived failed agenda of a potential "Newsom presidency."
The debate will be broadcasted on Fox News and Fox News radio.
