DeSantis and Newsom fought hard to prove their state’s records, forcing the moderator, Fox News host Sean Hannity, who promised to be unbiased, to step in. During the debate, the Florida governor, who is running in the presidential election in 2024, repeatedly called Newsom a liar and a “slippery politician,” while making a compelling case for using Florida as an example for national policies. DeSantis accused Newsom of running a “shadow campaign” for the presidential election for 2024.