Florida Governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has accepted California Governor Gavin Newsom’s challenge to a live TV debate.
DeSantis, who is currently in the running for the GOP presidential nomination, told Fox News’ Sean Hannity that he would be willing to debate the Democrat live on air.
A debate between the two governors first came to fruition in June when Hannity interviewed Newsom, who said he would enter a three-hour standoff with DeSantis.
Speaking on Fox, DeSantis said: “Definitely I’m game let’s get it done just tell me when and where. We’ll do it.’
No date has yet been set for the debate, but a Newsom spokesperson said so NBC they had suggested dates for November.
DeSantis, left, has now agreed to debate with California Governor Gavin Newsom, right, in a Red v. Blue debate
In a letter offering a formal debate, Newsom’s team laid out rules for the debate.
It reads, “This event will be marketed as a Red vs. Blue debate that focuses on the impact of state-level representation.
“This will be a 90-minute in-studio debate broadcast on Fox News. The moderator is Sean Hannity. There will be no live audience.’
Suggested location options by Newsom’s team are Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina.
Newsom’s team also called for a coin toss to determine who goes first on their opening remarks, with the loser making their closing remarks first.
After agreeing to debate Wednesday night, DeSantis continued, “In one sense, the debate between California and Florida has already been done, people have voted with their feet.
“They have fled California in record numbers, Florida has been the number one state for net migration, we have the number one economy, number one in education, crime rates at a 50-year low.
“In another sense, this is the debate about the future of our country, you have people like Joe Biden. They would like to see the California of the United States.
“I think if we go in that direction, America’s decline will accelerate. We don’t see America going backwards.”
Newsom had previously told Hannity, “I’m all in.” Count on it. I would do it (on) a day in advance with no notes. I look forward to that.’
Speaking on Fox News, DeSantis left agreeing to the debate between himself and Newsom, pictured here right talking to Sean Hannity
We covered last week how liberal states like California are posting losses of more than $600 million in tax revenues due to migration.
The Golden State currently tops the list, with $343 million dollars leaving the state, while New York reported a loss of $300 million.
On the other hand, the conservative states of Florida and Texas have collectively received $24 billion after an influx of movers.
The transition from blue states to red states was boosted by the pandemic, as states like California and New York enacted the most draconian lockdown restrictions in the US and enforced them much longer than conservative states.
Last year, 319,000 Americans moved to Florida, which has low taxes, according to the National Association of Realtors
New York State, on the other hand, which has a heavy tax burden, has seen an exodus of millionaires.
Meanwhile, California, which has a progressive tax system that relies heavily on wealthy people and high income tax rates, has also experienced an exodus of people.
The state has seen a population decline since the Covid-19 pandemic, with an estimated 500,000 people leaving between April 2020 and July 2022.
Tensions between the two governors rose after migrants from the Texas border were flown to Sacramento, California with help from the state of Florida.
Migrants of different nationalities rest in a temporary camp in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico, May 22, 2023
DeSantis argued that states like California and New York should bear the brunt of the “open border” policy.
In response, Newsom tweeted DeSantis saying he was a “little pathetic man” after Florida funded flights for migrants to California.
Newsom also threatened to bring kidnapping charges against his government over the move to take the migrants to the reception state.