Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for his repeated attempts to raise his national profile by challenging DeSantis to a debate, telling the Democrat to “stop pussyfooting around” and jump into the 2024 presidential race.

During a press conference on Wednesday, DeSantis responded to a question from a reporter regarding = Fox News host Sean Hannity’s encouragement for a debate between him and Newsom this week. DeSantis pointed out that Hannity was aware that the Florida governor had previously downplayed the idea during an interview last year.

“I’m all in. Count on it,” Newsom told Hannity, adding that he would agree to a three-hour debate with only “one day’s notice with no notes.”

DeSantis simply laughed at the notion during the press conference.

“You know, it’s interesting. He’s got huge problems in his state. I mean, like, huge problems in his state,” he said.

“I mean, you see it in San Francisco, you see it in L.A., you see it in the people fleeing,” DeSantis added. “California, from its inception, gained population every single year until he became governor. I mean, California was probably the height of opportunity for middle-class Americans for many, many decades in this country.

“No one would leave there, you know, you would go, people were drawn to there, and yet, he’s the first governor that’s overseen a massive exodus out of California,” former President Donald Trump’s main nomination rival added.

DeSantis remarked that it’s understandable why individuals living in regions with unfavorable weather conditions would choose to relocate to Florida. However, he suggested that if someone residing in Southern California opts to move to Florida, it is likely due to dissatisfaction with the policies implemented by the Democratic-controlled state and local governments in California.

“And yet with all those problems, he has a real serious fixation on the state of Florida,” DeSantis said. “I mean, I think it’s just bizarre that he does that. But what I would tell him is, you know what, stop pussyfooting around. Are you going to throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe?”

“Are you going to get in and do it, or are you just going to sit on the sidelines and chirp?” he continued. “So why don’t you throw your hat in the ring, and then we’ll go ahead and talk about what’s happening.”

DESANTIS responds to Gavin Newsom:

“He has a real, serious fixation on Florida, but what I would tell him is … stop pussyfooting around. Are you going to throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe? Or are you going to sit on the sidelines and chirp? Why don't you throw your… pic.twitter.com/WGKDPMXKtD

— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) June 15, 2023