WASHINGTON (AP) — In a highly anticipated nationally televised event on Thursday night, two young, high-profile leaders with potential presidential aspirations, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, will come face to face.
Despite his desire to eventually run for president, Newsom, 56, is currently backing President Joe Biden for reelection in 2024. Meanwhile, 45-year-old DeSantis declared his entry into the 2024 GOP presidential race six months ago, challenging Donald Trump for the nomination, although he has been unable to diminish Trump’s early lead.
DeSantis is betting big on Iowa’s upcoming presidential caucuses, and is hoping to improve his standing, currently fighting for second place behind Trump, with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
The 90-minute event, dubbed “The Great Red vs. Blue State Debate” by Fox News Channel, will take place at a studio in Alpharetta, Georgia. There won’t be an audience, but the moderator is Fox host Sean Hannity.
For DeSantis, this televised showdown is an opportunity to gain momentum before the Iowa caucuses, while Newsom sees it as a chance to reach Fox’s conservative audience.
Hannity indicated that the event will emphasize the participants’ differing visions for the future. DeSantis’ landslide reelection victory in Florida last year reflects the state’s conservative leanings, in contrast to California, the country’s biggest Democratic state.
Despite rumors last year of Newsom potentially replacing Biden in 2024, he debunked these speculations. Nevertheless, Newsom has continued spending campaign funds on ads in Republican-led states and has supported Biden in Republican areas.
When the Republican presidential candidates gathered at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California for their second presidential primary debate in September, Newsom served as a chief onsite spokesperson for Biden’s campaign.
It remains to be seen how the encounter with DeSantis will unfold, but it’s sure to draw plenty of attention.
