Gov. Gavin Newsom is running for reelection in California, but his latest television ad is airing in Florida.
It’s an odd political move that has insiders talking about a possible 2024 Democratic presidential primary run by Newsom, and it had CNN cheering.
The 30-second spot that aired on Fox News 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 are 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 flashed on the 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.
The mainstream media could barely contain its excitement.
“Boom!” exclaimed CNN’s Dean Obeidallah, an opinion editor who said it was a message “Democrats should embrace.”
“Today’s Republican party is an extremist movement that is literally coming for our freedoms. DeSantis — who many political observers expect will run for president in 2024 — is one of the leaders of the GOP’s efforts across a number of states to ban everything from academic freedom to reproductive rights,” Obeidallah wrote.
“Why aren’t more Democrats doing stuff like this?” asked MSNBC’s Mehdi Hasan on social media. “Newsom is on a roll right now…”
Newsom handily beat back a recall attempt last year and is expected to cruise to reelection in November.
We’re about to celebrate Independence Day — but Freedom is under attack by Republican leaders in states like Florida.
Banning books.
Restricting speech.
Making it harder to vote.
Criminalizing women and doctors.
It’s time to stand up. Don’t let them take your freedom. pic.twitter.com/cFI5UzgZzX— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 3, 2022
The Associated Press contributed to this article.