DeSantis Versus Newsom: You Decide

As 2026 comes to a close, two of our nation’s Governors will be leaving their respective offices. Gavin Newsom in California and Ron DeSantis in Florida have given citizens of our nation contrasting examples of how to govern. 

Both Newsom and DeSantis had a legislative branch controlled by their respective political party so they were not inhibited from implementing the policies they preferred.

As soon as Newsom was elected, he began implementing policies that would appeal to the left wing which controls his Democrat party. Newsom’s answer to any problem was to increase government spending. During his term, the growth in spending increased 70% per capita. In Florida, under DeSantis, the increase in government spending was 30% per capita.

In Florida, DeSantis established a focus on reducing needless regulation in order to allow Florida’s economy to grow. DeSantis, with the help of the legislature reined in the trial lawyers by enacting tort reform to lower insurance costs. (For our local voters, Melton Little worked hard  to prevent the legislature from enacting tort reform)

Contrasting the DeSantis approach, Newsome has allowed the government bureaucrats in California to enact endless regulations  that have hampered private business growth and thus the cost of living for working California residents has increased dramatically. The cumulative GDP growth in California during Newsom’s tenure has been 18% versus the 33% cumulative growth rate in Florida during the DeSantis tenure. 

The regulatory environment in California has inhibited job creation in California and has led to an anemic job growth rate of 5%. The cumulative job growth rate under DeSantis has been 13%. 

The regulatory environment in California has resulted in Californians paying 42% higher gasoline prices.This has an extremely negative impact on working Californians.

Public Safety is another area where Governor Newsom has fallen far behind the standard set by Governor DeSantis. The violent crime rate in California is nearly twice as high as the rate in Florida.

The contrast between the two Governors cannot be more plain. That is why it is not puzzling that the Manatee Patriots and the Bradenton Times appear to dislike our Governor. They would appear to prefer a more leftist leaning Governor. 

Florida has been blessed to have Governor DeSantis in charge of our state for the last 8 years. Californians have not been so fortunate.