Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly challenged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to campaign in Florida, offering to host him and travel with him across the state while arguing that Jeffries’ political positions would not resonate with Florida voters.
Speaking about Jeffries’ comments regarding Florida, DeSantis extended a direct invitation for the New York Democrat to visit and campaign throughout the state.
“This guy, Jeffries, popping off in Washington, about Florida. He wants to be Speaker of the House, and he’s kind of like, you know, more liberal than Pelosi and all this other stuff from New York City,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis then outlined what he described as an open invitation, offering to personally cover travel and accommodations.
“I just want to know. I just say, oh, Florida. Can you do, we’re going to go after Florida. Please be my guest. I will pay for you to come down to Florida and campaign. I’ll put you up in the Florida governor’s mansion. We’ll take you fishing, we’ll do all this stuff.”
The governor said he believes a visible campaign presence by Jeffries across Florida would benefit Republicans in the state.
“There’s nothing that could be better for Republicans in Florida than to see Jeffreys, Hakeem, Jeffries everywhere around this state. Voters will not like what they see they will not want that type of ideology.”
DeSantis reiterated that the invitation remains open, stating that such a visit would serve as a contrast between Florida voters and Jeffries’ political views.
“And so the door is open, the invitations out there. I don’t think there’d be anything better for the Republican Party of Florida, but to have Jeffries there.”
During his remarks, DeSantis also commented on criticism Jeffries has received from members of the far-left.
“Now, I kind of feel bad for the guy, because he’s as left as they come. He’s always going left, and yet the far left hates him.”
He continued by referencing the criticism directed at Jeffries. “You know, they call him $1 store Obama, they call him a pack Shakur, all these different derogatory names that they do, and so he’s tried to ingratiate himself with their but they’re just not drinking the Kool Aid, and so they give him a hard time.”
DeSantis concluded by restating his invitation for Jeffries to visit Florida and campaign across the state.
“So I kind of feel bad for that, but please be my guest to come down in Florida. We would love to have you.”
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