Gavin Newsom Doomed To Repeat Ron DeSantis’ Only Mistake

In the COVID-19 era, Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis quickly became one of the most popular conservative figures in the country. Florida’s hands-off approach to lockdowns, the governor’s anti-Fauci rhetoric, and his dogged attitude toward liberal journalists earned him and his state widespread praise. Even Americans from the Northeast, whose blue states took an entirely different, more draconian approach to COVID, stomached the idea of a right-wing governor and moved to Florida for its lower prices, lower taxes, and economic freedom.

Like DeSantis, Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom now faces a similar situation: he’s having a moment. Much to Newsom’s detriment, he is repeating the same mistake that kneecapped the Florida governor and derailed a promising bid in 2024. (Subscribe to MR. RIGHT, a free weekly newsletter about modern masculinity)