As the saying goes, politics make strange bedfellows. President Obama felt he needed an old white guy clinging to friendships with racists to balance his ticket. Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) abandoned her ideology and joined up with anyone who would help in her quest to eviscerate President Trump. Well, you get the gist. But how does one explain why the in-laws of California Governor Gavin Newsom are donating – generously, one might say – to Ron DeSantis, the Republican governor of the Sunshine State? It defies family loyalty, not to mention the Political Dynasty for Dummies handbook.
The Siebel Family Revocable Trust, managed by Kenneth F. Siebel, Jr. and Judith A. Siebel, made a $5,000 contribution this past spring to Florida’s Gov. DeSantis, Gavin’s arch nemesis. For those who don’t follow California politics too closely, Newsom is married to the Siebel’s lovely daughter, Jennifer. The next Thanksgiving dinner could be more dangerous than the upcoming midterm elections.
Newsom vs DeSantis
Democrats are throwing a Hail Mary to replace the current White House occupant while endeavoring to remove the threat of a Trump comeback, and Gavin Newsom has risen to the top of the list as the guy who would be hard to beat in 2024. Across the aisle, however, DeSantis is also making tongues wag about a presidential throwdown.
Gavin Newsom (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Newsom has attacked DeSantis through paid advertisements in hopes of luring the good people of the Sunshine State to move to California. The ads littered Florida’s airwaves for a brief time, claiming that “Freedom is under attack.” But there were no takers. So, attempting another pass at embarrassing DeSantis, Newsom pledged $100,000 to the campaign of Rep. Charlie Crist, who previously served as Florida’s governor and now endeavors to reclaim his place in the mansion.
But wait, there’s more. Newsom recently visited the White House while President Joe Biden was overseas. Whether picking out his China pattern or ensuring the window coverings were up to his standards, this untimely visit made the rounds in political circles. The gall, as the Siebels might say.
It is simply too soon to speculate the odds of a Newsom vs DeSantis presidential showdown. Still, at least the electorate is getting a solid sampling of what could be expected in the run-up to the 2024 general election.
Family Dynamics Are a Hoot
Although no one from the involved camps of Siebel, Newsom, and DeSantis is talking, it should be pointed out that Newsom’s father-in-law, Kenneth Siebel, is a man who likes the conservative cause. According to Federal Election Commission filings, he recently donated to Republicans Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, and Josh Hawley of Missouri.
But to spread the wealth to the sworn enemy of one’s son-in-law? That takes cojones and describes Newsom’s version of “freedom” to a tee. Well, it’s all in good fun until your daughter misses the opportunity to become the next first lady of the United States. Holidays will never be the same in the Siebel-Newsom household.
