Florida vs. California: Two governors seek relevance. Only one is succeeding | Opinion

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom are from different ends of the political spectrum but they have one big thing in common: both missed their moment to become the defining voices of their parties.

And now they’re trying to make up for it by deploying two very different tactics to secure their political futures. I’m not sure either one will work, but DeSantis should take some lessons from his counterpart in California.

In an effort to stay relevant, DeSantis has taken steps to show he is committed to fulfilling President Trump’s agenda in Florida, from calling a special session on immigration policy to announcing a Florida DOGE to fight waste across the state. He’s also proposed eliminating property taxes in Florida, a move that could devastate local governments but won him big headlines.

And if the policies don’t work, there’s always First Lady Casey DeSantis. It’s been rumored that DeSantis’ wife may run for Florida governor. That would be a bold move. In a GOP primary, she’d face Trump-endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds.

If she runs, she’d be worth serious consideration — but not as a placeholder for her husband’s political preservation. She’s never held office but she has a high profile as first lady focusing on issues including mental health. And she has that all-important name recognition.

While Republican DeSantis and his wife may be forging a political partnership with similarities to Bill and Hillary Clinton’s, Newsom, a Democrat, seems to be taking a lesson from former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly, who started a podcast and a media company.

Newsom is rebranding himself with a podcast that reaches across the aisle, called “This is Gavin Newsom.” He’s booking eyebrow-raising guests, too, such as far-right Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, and he recently called Democrats’ brand “toxic.”

While not everyone is a fan of Newsom’s podcast, it was still a strong choice by a lame duck governor. Newsom may not run for president, but by interviewing those with the largest MAGA microphones, he’s expanding his reach.

It’s a risky political move. As Mark Z Barabak, a political columnist for the Los Angeles Times, wrote: “If Newsom really hopes to be president someday, the best thing he could do is a bang-up job in his final 22 months as governor, not waste time on glib and self-flattering diversions.”

But even critics are giving Newsom what he wants: attention. And that’s hard to capture in today’s media landscape.

If I were advising DeSantis, I would encourage him to take his cues from Newsom and do something that will get people talking. He’s burning daylight by fighting with the Legislature and trying to get back in Trump’s good graces.

I appreciate DeSantis’ commitment to rolling out new initiatives for Florida. But influence in the modern Republican Party is about who commands the conversation, not who can write a better policy paper.

And right now, Newsom is giving a master class in how to control the conversation. On his podcast, Newsom picks the guests and shapes the narrative. It may work: he’s carving out influence one podcast at a time.

Meanwhile, DeSantis’ influence is on the wane. With House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Republican from Miami, asserting legislative independence, DeSantis looks more like a governor scrambling to hold on to power than a leader ready for the national stage.

If DeSantis wants to expand his influence beyond Florida and build some good will with Republicans, he should figure out how to help Republicans hold the majority in Congress in the midterms. It would allow him to get out on the trail and reach new audiences.

Otherwise, DeSantis’ options are limited: Hang his political future on his wife winning the governor’s mansion. Primary U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, even though he appointed her the Senate. Or write a book and hope he hasn’t reached the end of his political road.

Mary Anna Mancuso is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board. Her email: mmancuso@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 5:02 AM with the headline "Florida vs. California: Two governors seek relevance. Only one is succeeding | Opinion."