During a recent campaign visit to San Francisco, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the city's decline, attributing it to "leftist policies." A video released by his campaign showcased open drug use and public defecation, portraying a city struggling with crime and a declining business environment. DeSantis contrasted this with Florida's population growth, suggesting a correlation between policies and quality of life.

DeSantis emphasized the impact of policy choices, stating, "It just shows you that policies matter, leadership matters." He lamented the numerous boarded-up businesses and described the state of the city streets as distressing. The governor directly linked San Francisco's decline to the influx of residents relocating to Florida.

California experienced a significant population decrease between 2021 and 2022, while Florida witnessed a substantial influx of new residents, primarily from high-tax, traditionally Democratic states. This demographic shift underscores the ongoing debate between DeSantis and California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding their respective state policies. Newsom has criticized Florida's stance on LGBTQ+ rights, gun control, immigration, and abortion access. He has even encouraged those dissatisfied with these policies to relocate to California. Conversely, DeSantis has challenged Newsom to enter the 2024 presidential race, characterizing his criticisms as a "fixation" on Florida.

Newsom, who has endorsed President Biden for re-election, has positioned himself as a counterpoint to DeSantis's policies. The escalating tension between the two governors includes Newsom's threat of legal action against DeSantis following the transport of migrants to Sacramento. This ongoing political feud highlights the stark ideological differences between the two states and their respective leaders.