Welcome back to RBG’s Weekly Scoop, giving you the inside scoop on everything pertaining to the 2022 Gubernatorial Race and, most importantly, our efforts to oust Ron DeSantis from the Florida Governor’s mansion.
The Democrats vs. Ron
The DeSantis campaign has spent over $104K on digital ads over the past 90 days, towering over the Democratic challengers’ combined spend of $52,714.
Most of the DeSantis campaign’s digital spending had migrated over to Google, showing a significant incline in spending on the platform.
But while the DeSantis campaign has ramped up their spending on Google, the Crist campaign has been much timider in their spending on the platform. Meanwhile, the other two Democratic challengers have not spent at all on the platform over the last 90 days.
Back on Facebook, DeSantis is continuing to run his latest video ads with a focus on raising money from supporters interested in “fighting back against the radical left”.
While the Democratic candidates are also focused on fundraising in the majority of their ads, Charlie Crist is continuing to run boosted news article ads on his new page “La Colada del Día”. These news articles appear to be aimed at fighting disinformation within the Latino electorate in Florida.
The Race for Governor Online
DeSantis has taken his fight with the Biden Administration over COVID online, tweeting “Without a shred of clinical data to support its decision, the Biden Administration has revoked the emergency use authorization for lifesaving monoclonal antibody treatments.”
Unfortunately for the Governor, both manufacturers of the monoclonal antibody treatments have released statements and data supporting the FDA’s decision to deauthorize the use of these treatments, as they have been ineffective against the new Omicron variant.
When asked about DeSantis' opposition to the FDA decision, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, “Let’s just take a step back here to realize how crazy this is… They are still advocating for treatments that don’t work.”
In the Press
RON DESANTIS
Politico: DeSantis opens new battle with Biden over Covid treatments. January 25, 2022. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday cut Florida’s weekly allotment of monoclonal antibody cocktails.
The Washington Post: DeSantis, Republicans cry foul over FDA’s monoclonal antibody decision. January 25, 2022. Few things inspire as much passion in the Republican base these days as alternative and often-unproven coronavirus treatments – even as many in the party continue to shun the most proven-effective treatment: vaccination.
Business Insider: Psaki: Ron DeSantis’ push for COVID treatments ‘that don’t work’ is ‘crazy’. January 25, 2022. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that it’s “crazy” for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to continue advocating for the use of monoclonal antibody treatments after the Food and Drug Administration restricted the treatments, citing inefficacy against the dominant Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The Hill: Poll: Trump leads 2024 Republican field with DeSantis in distant second. January 24, 2022. Former President Trump dominates the field of potential contenders for the 2024 Republican presidential nod, but Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is an early favorite.
WPTV: 59 Florida sheriffs endorse Gov. Ron DeSantis for re-election. January 24, 2022. Dozens of Florida sheriffs on Monday threw their support behind Gov. Ron DeSantis in his re-election bid, calling him a “law and order governor” who looks out for law enforcement.
The Hill: Florida redistricting plan faces opposition from DeSantis. January 23, 2022. Florida state senators this week offered a rare hint of bipartisan agreement on a plan to redraw a sing state’s congressional district.
NIKKI FRIED
Gainesville Sun: Clear differences on climate between Ron DeSantis, Nikki Fried. January 25, 2022. Ron DeSantis and Democratic Commissioner for Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried, have adopted very different positions on climate change.
CHARLIE CRIST
Orlando Sentinel: Crist slams DeSantis’ COVID response as ‘affordability’ tour heads to Orlando. January 24, 2022. Democratic candidate for governor Charlie Crist called Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed congressional redistricting maps “appalling” and said his COVID-19 response was “costing lives” in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel Monday.
ANNETTE TADDEO
Florida Politics: Taking it to the streets: Democrats push GOP to allow voters to weigh in on Medicaid expansion. January 25, 2022. Democratic lawmakers –Sen. Annette Taddeo and Victor Torres, and Reps. Felicia Robinson and Geraldine Thompson – pleased with Republican legislative leaders Tuesday to schedule a debate on two proposed joint resolutions (2JR 412 and HJR 239) that would put Medicaid expansion on the 2022 ballot.
That’s all for this week. To support Ron Be Gone’s voter registration and turnout efforts in Jacksonville ahead of the February city council elections you can contribute online via ActBlue here or reach out to mikayla@ronbegone.com for more information. Thank you for your continued support.
Team RonBeGone