During an education bill signing, New York Governor Kathy Hochul took a shot at Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill was connected to Holocaust education in schools.

She attempted to “joke” about DeSantis:

“I just want to say to the 1.77 million Jews who call New York home: Thank you for calling New York home. Don’t go anywhere or to another state. Florida is overrated. I shouldn’t say this, but look at the governor. It starts at the top down.”

Shortly after, Hochul said: “Getting in trouble – gotta stay on script.”

DeSantis campaign spokesperson Lindsey Curnutte said:

“An event about Holocaust education is not the time to launch cheap attacks at a fellow governor. Kathy Hochul’s tasteless comments were offensive to thousands of Jewish people who are fleeing her state because of New York’s oppressive taxes, shuttered businesses, crime-infested cities, and needless mandates,” Curnutte said.

DeSantis’ new press secretary Bryan Griffin said:

“The pot-shot from Governor Hochul is, of course, unfounded and dishonest. Governor DeSantis championed law in 2020 (two years before New York) that codified Holocaust Education standards. An event focused on the need for Holocaust education should not have been trivialized for political attacks.”

DeSantis campaign spokesperson Dave Abrams said:

“After a breakup, some people cling to the hopes of reconciliation. It’s sad to see governors acting like desperate exes. Perhaps they should spend more time relieving their people of oppressive taxes, needless mandates, shuttered businesses, and crime-infested cities. Florida’s freedom agenda works — they ought to try it.”

Even Democrats seemed upset about Hochul’s comments. Former New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-NY) slammed the New York Governor:

“I think it was absolutely pathetic. The governor of New York needs to be defeated. You’re doing a Holocaust event, your own event, and you’re busy attacking the governor of Florida, who is probably one of the best friends of the Jewish people in this great country. How many people are leaving Florida to come to New York? Hardly anyone but the opposite, tens and tens of thousands of New Yorkers are leaving New York because things are out of control in this city, in this state. Crime is out of control. Antisemitism is at levels never seen before. At this event, she talks about never forgetting. She’s busy attacking the governor of Florida, who has done an amazing job while she has failed? … She owes everyone an apology. This is not the kind of behavior we expect from a leader of our state.”

Hochul’s comments were disgraceful. Instead of trying to put DeSantis down, she should govern better, lower taxes, and relieve millions of New Yorkers. Until then, they will continue to flee to Florida.

A few months ago, @MJHnews refused to rent space for a conf. featuring @RonDeSantisFL to avoid being political. Yesterday, just a little over 2 mnths. before her gubernatorial election, the museum had @GovKathyHochul sign a bill. Will they let me host her (R) opponent @leezeldin?

— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) August 12, 2022