Dueling Ads in Florida’s Hot Gubernatorial Race Offer Varying Takes on ‘Freedom’

Viewers with a penchant for skipping past TV or internet ads may miss juicy material coming across the airwaves in Florida between now and election day in the fall.

Political communications experts viewed the first crop of gubernatorial campaign ads running in the Sunshine State. Then they spoke to The Epoch Times about what they noticed about the advertising strategies of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his two top Democratic opponents in the crowded field. Here are some quick takes:

A major theme associated with the state’s gubernatorial race is “freedom.” But how candidates define “freedom” seems to vary widely, experts said.

Another observation: DeSantis, with buckets of campaign cash and a predicted victory in the fall, wisely is taking “the high road” now. His ads poke at no one, tout his accomplishments, and appeal to a wide range of voters, even outside his base.

If the race tightens, he can afford to pummel his challengers by flooding the state’s expensive media markets with harder-hitting messages, experts noted.

Left: Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at a VA Facility in Los Angeles, Calif., on Nov. 10, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times); Right: Fla. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in an undated file photo. (Courtesy of Ron DeSantis for Governor)

Then there’s California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s cheeky ad campaign  that attracted viral news coverage across the country after its Independence Day launch in Florida.

With his ad, Newsom ventured onto DeSantis’ turf to try to tear him down. But, one expert predicted, that the attack could backfire on the West Coast Democrat, who appears to be teeing up a presidential run. His suggestion that Floridians may want to flee to California to experience more freedom can be easily batted down by DeSantis using statistics on where Americans are on the move, the expert