After growing up in California,ChristinaPushaw climbedsomewhat of alearning curvewhen she moved to Florida.
“In the state government in as a diverse and large state as Florida, there’s a lot going on and[state]politicsisits own little world,” she says.
Pushaw,formerpress secretary and now re-election campaign Director of Rapid Responsefor Florida Governor Ron DeSantis*,previously workedin Washington D.C.,where she wasimmersed in national politics, specifically political consulting. She has also worked in this field internationally.
Despite being a seasoned politico, Pushaw still experienced some culture shock when she started representing DeSantis, a rising star in the GOP who’s long been regarded as presidential material.
“I always worked more behind the scenes,” she says. But she assumed the responsibility head on and is “outspoken in defending my bossand his great policies and what he does for our state,” she says.Pushawis a bold and unapologetic spokeswoman forconservative policies, taking no prisoners along the way. No matter what DeSantis initiative is getting heat from progressives, of which there are many, Pushaw immediately dispels the myths and debunks the false claims.
For instance, she readily handled the criticism to the DeSantis-backedParental Rights in Educationbill, whichprohibits classroom instruction ofgender identity and sexual orientationinFlorida public schools forchildreninkindergarten throughthird grade. After the mainstream media labeled it the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, despite the fact that the word “gay” never appeared in the text of the legislation, Pushaw was ready with tactful retorts.
“Most people, regardless of partisan leaning, would agree with the premise of the bill. I think the media knew that, which is why they branded it in this inflammatory and false way,” she says.
The DeSantis administration, supported by Pushaw’s public rebuttals, stuck to its guns and came out on top in that rhetorical battle.
“It’s all about sticking to the facts,” she says. “As conservatives, the facts are on our side with this stuff. That’s the best way to approach dishonest journalism and narrative creation.”
To be sure,Pushaw’s tenure as press secretary included many fights with the press. When DeSantis establishedmonoclonal antibody treatment sitesacross Florida, progressive media outlets manipulated what was a positive public health breakthrough by accusing the governor of setting them up to benefit a donor.
“That could actually put people in danger, and that made me really, really upset and frustrated,” she says. “It’s not getting information out to people. It’s actively harming people.”
Pushawtells me that the monoclonal antibody treatments were purchased by the federal government towards the end of the Trump administration and sent tothe states. In other words, there was no conflict of interestas had been allegedby certain media figures.
WhenPushawfired backat media for their false and, as she pointed out, potentially dangerous statements, DeSantis received a letter from them urging him to penalize her or terminate her employment.
The next day, DeSantis issued a statement standing withPushaw.
“That was a few months after I started, I think [thatwas] the moment I realized I’m definitely in the right place. I feel very supported and very much like the governor doesn’t let politics or the media get in the way of doing his job,” she says.
Being in the spotlight of a gubernatorial administration that is constantly attracting national media attention has its challenges. Pushaw turns tofaith and family for strength and confidence.
“I’m very blessed to have supportive family and friends,” she tells me.“I’m Catholic.I believe we’re put on this earth for a reason. We have to get up in the morning and ask ourselves 'am I doing all I can to fulfill why I was put on this earth?' And I ask myself that. I think that’s what keeps me going - especially when it comes to dishonest attacks, whether it’s on my boss or on myself.”
Pushawhas positioned herself as a fierce advocate not only for DeSantis but also for the people of Florida. It’s exhausting and sometimes demoralizing to combat leftwing media and institutions day in and day out, but it’s worth it if she can be a mouthpiece for the concerns of citizens, she says.
“I’m speaking not only for myself, not only the governor, but for people who feel like they can’t speak out. [People]write to me in private and they tell me,‘I agree with the parental rights bill’,” she says.
Many residents, even in anincreasingly Republicanstate like Florida, are fearful of backlash from employers for speaking out.
“I have sympathy for that,” she says. “And I feel like, ok, then it’s my job to speak out for them as well, even if they’re going to be anonymous.”
Her advice to young women who feel social and societal pressure to keep quiet about their conservative beliefs is as follows: “Keep in mind, especially for youngwomen in college, there are more people who agree with you than you think.”
*At the time of this interview, ChristinaPushawwas still serving as press secretary for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. She resigned from that role on August 12, 2022 to serve as the Director of Rapid Response for the governor’s re-election campaign.
