Kerby Anderson

Political campaigns often bring out the worst in gubernatorial candidates, but we are hearing proclamations from governors and former governors attacking the voters. The current campaigns in New York and Florida are just a few examples.

The predicate in New York came from the former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Back in 2014, he made it clear that people with certain political views were free to leave the state. What were these toxic views, according to him? That would be pro-life, gun ownership, and traditional marriage (which he defined as anti-gay).

Following his lead, Kathy Hochul declared at her campaign rally, “we are here to say that the era of Trump, and Zeldin” are over, so “just jump on a bus and head down to Florida where you belong, okay? Get out of town. Because you do not represent our values. You are not New Yorkers.” By the way, Lee Zeldin, who she mentioned in that quote, is the opponent who was recently attacked by a man with a sharp object.

It’s one thing for a candidate to say I disagree with your political views. It is quite another to call for the expulsion of anyone who doesn’t hold to your values. In fact, you aren’t even New Yorkers.

Down in Florida, former governor Charlie Crist and current gubernatorial candidate, made it clear that he isn’t going to try to convince the four million voters who voted for Ron DeSantis last time to reconsider their vote. “Those who support the governor should stay with him. I don’t want your vote. If you have hate in your heart, keep it there.”

Criticizing certain voters goes all the way back to Hillary Clinton’s comment that some were merely a “basket of deplorables.” A few governors or aspiring governors have raised the stakes by saying they don’t want their vote and don’t want them in their state.