Email insights: ‘#WhereIsRon’ DeSantis?

Adam Putnam’s gubernatorial campaign sent an email Monday hitting Republican primary rival Ron DeSantis for spending time in Washington and questioning where he stands on the issues.

“Congressman Ron DeSantis prefers to spend most of his time in Washington, D.C. Not only is he rarely physically in the state, [but] he also refuses to take positions on issues that impact Floridians,” the email said.

“Apparently, the congressman has been so busy running his campaign from D.C. and seeking out of state donations that he hasn’t had time to weigh in.”

The email then highlights news coverage of a variety of issues, from DeSantis going “radio silent” on the two-year anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre to his campaign’s unwillingness to share specific details about his public safety policy plans.

Team Putnam’s email also coins the hashtag “#WhereIsRon?” which features a cartoon of the Northeast Florida Republican wearing the same threads as the eponymous character of “Where’s Waldo” fame.

Indeed, DeSantis has been a bit coy on policy positions, preferring instead to weigh in on a pair of scandals that have rocked Putnam in his day job as the state’s Agriculture Commissioner.

Putnam and DeSantis are the two major Republican candidates running to replace term-limited Gov. Rick Scott in the fall. According to a recent poll conducted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce (which has endorsed Putnam), the second-term Ag Commissioner is ahead 32 to 15 percent.

Putnam also leads DeSantis in fundraising raising more than $30 million compared to DeSantis’ $10.8 million, which includes $1.1 million raised for his congressional re-election campaign.