After some senior Democratic lawmakers from states with stronger coronavirus restrictions were observed vacationing in Florida during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reelection campaign is now selling new “Escape to Florida/The Lockdown Libs tour” T-shirts.
“We can’t blame you…we like freedom, too,” the back of the shirt says, “the back of the shirt reads, beside a list of Democrats – including governors from Connecticut, Michigan, and New Jersey – and the places where they stayed in Florida.
The front has the words “Escape to Florida” and “Lockdown Libs,” as well as an “Open” symbol on a state outline.
“If I had a $1 for every lockdown politician that chose to flee to Florida over the last two years, let me tell you, I’d be a very doggone wealthy man,” DeSantis said at a news conference last week.
“I mean, members of Congress, mayors, governors, you name it.”
That statement came after progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, was seen sans a mask at a packed outdoor bar while on vacation in Florida.
Ocasio-office Cortez’s confirmed on Sunday that the legislator had tested positive for COVID-19.
Rep. Eric Swalwell of California, another Democrat, was also seen in Florida recently while he vacationed with family members.
When it comes to pandemic policies, California is one of the harshest in the country.
“It’s interesting the reception that some of these folks will get in Florida,” the governor said at the press conference, “because I think a lot of Floridians say, ‘Wait a minute you’re bashing us because we’re not doing your draconian policies, and yet we’re the first place you want to flee to, to basically enjoy life.”
In the aftermath of the coronavirus epidemic, the conservative governor’s popularity among Republican voters in his state and throughout the country soared in 2020 and 2021, owing in large part to his confrontational stance against COVID-19 limitations.
DeSantis, a former congressman who was elected governor of Florida in 2018, is competing for a second term in office this year.
Pundits also see the Republican governor as a possible GOP presidential candidate in 2024.
The T-shirts, which are available online at the Republican governor’s “Official Ron DeSantis Store” on his reelection campaign website, were first reported by Fox News on Monday.
