Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: Make America Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) are set to meet Thursday in a climatic debate following a growing rivalry between the two that has lasted months.

DeSantis and Newsom will take the stage together for a 90-minute debate titled “DeSantis vs. Newsom: The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate,” moderated by Fox News host Sean Hannity and airing starting at 9 p.m. With both men emerging as top figures within their parties on the national level, the event could be an opportunity for them to give a boost to their respective political careers.

Here’s what to watch for in the long-awaited DeSantis-Newsom debate:

How big are the fireworks?
Momentum has been building for two of the country’s most prominent governors to face off for more than a year.

Since Newsom first challenged DeSantis to a debate back in September 2022, the attacks have grown only more personal. Newsom has called DeSantis a “small, pathetic man,” while the Florida governor has argued that people are “fleeing” California because of Newsom’s administration.

All the predebate bad blood could lead to explosive arguments throughout the night over intense disagreements on major issues facing each state and the country.

Sean Hannity, a firebrand conservative pundit who makes attacking Democrats like Newsom a staple of his nightly opinion show on Fox, could throw even more fuel on the fire.

The network has said Hannity’s questions will “highlight a variety of issues in each state, including the economy, the border, immigration, crime, and inflation,” so which issues get the most focus could play a major role in who ends up walking away looking better.

The absence of a live studio audience could, however, quell some of the arguing and interruptions that are a hallmark of primary and general election debates.

Does Florida or California come away looking stronger?
DeSantis and Newsom have clashed on multiple occasions over the past year, criticizing each other for various policies they have implemented during their administrations.

Both have heralded their states and their policies as providing freedom to their residents but through different methods.

Before challenging DeSantis to the debate, Newsom ran ads in Florida slamming the state’s governor and Republican state legislators over multiple pieces of approved legislation affecting LGBTQ rights, voting rights, abortion and education. The ad called on Floridians who oppose the state’s direction under DeSantis to consider moving to California.

“I urge all of you who live 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 said. “Don’t let them take your freedom.”

Governor DeSantis of Florida, who had announced his candidacy as a Republican in the US presidential election, has announced his withdrawal.

On the 21st, Mr. DeSantis posted a video message on social media, stating that he would "suspend the campaign" because there was no clear path to victory.

He also stated that he would keep his promise to support the Republican candidate, saying that Mr. Trump is clearly better than President Biden, and also expressed his intention to support Mr. Trump.

At the Iowa caucuses on the 15th, Mr. DeSantis was trailing the leader, Mr. Trump, by nearly 30 points.

With Mr. DeSantis announcing his withdrawal, the primary election in New Hampshire on the 23rd will be a one-on-one battle between Mr. Trump and former United Nations Ambassador Haley.