Governor Ron DeSantis has tapped conservative journalist and communicator Christina Pushaw to be his new press secretary.
Pushaw, who most recently worked as a freelance journalist publishing in national conservative outlets like The National Interest and Human Events, landed inside the Governor’s office as DeSantis transitions into campaign season. Born in California, Pushaw carved out a career in communications after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Southern California. She also holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University.
“Some people are surprised that I’m a conservative because I’m from one of the bluest areas in the country. But that’s precisely what shaped my views on policy. Growing up in California, I’ve seen firsthand the destruction caused by unfettered progressive control,” Pushaw told The Capitolist in an email. “The contrast between my home state of California and my adopted home state of Florida couldn’t be more dramatic.”
In addition to her freelance journalism work, Pushaw worked with conservative public policy organizations in Washington D.C. and has also worked as an international political communications consultant aiding pro-American political leaders and organizations in Eastern Europe, specializing in English-language media. Her experience working with political leaders and other organizations helped hone her skills in an often hostile media environment. One of her clients, Mikheil Saakashvili, has been an outspoken critic of Vladmir Putin.
“Christina Pushaw has distinguished herself as a successful conservative communicator who understands the importance of defending individual freedom and denouncing government overreach and tyranny at home and abroad,” said Helen Aguirre Ferré, who previously worked as communications director for DeSantis. “She comfortably stands up to would-be cyberbullies and those that regularly defame and lie. As such, she is a natural fit to work in Governor DeSantis’ communications shop as he continues to lead Florida safely and successfully through the challenges brought upon our state and nation as a result of a global pandemic.”
Her new job working in the governor’s office won’t be Pushaw’s first foray into Florida. Her father worked as a visiting professor to Florida State University in 1999. But Pushaw first got onto the radar of the DeSantis administration for her willingness to call out the now thoroughly discredited “whistleblower” Rebekah Jones in a series of investigative stories, including a blockbuster exposé in Human Events in February. That story was among the first national media outlets to shine a light on major plot holes in Jones’ claims and in the media narrative she perpetuated. Jones was fired from Florida’s Department of Health last year and is currently awaiting trial on charges that she illegally accessed a state computer network.
Pushaw, though, is looking past all that as her new boss, DeSantis, has a busy schedule in the coming months, starting with this week’s special session to ratify the multi-billion dollar gaming compact DeSantis negotiated with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. After that, he’ll be focused on signing the state budget and identifying potential line-item vetoes, as well as attending dozens of bill signing ceremonies that traditionally fill a Florida governor’s summer schedule.