Arkansas Democrat Defends Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Amid California Gavin Newsom Attack

A Democratic MP in Arkansas has rallied to defend newly elected Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders amid criticism from California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

On Twitter, Newsom attempted to criticize Sanders for verbally fighting crime while running a state that has “one of the highest murder rates.”

“While @SarahHuckabee is touting public safety, here’s what she’s missing: Arkansas has one of the highest homicide rates in the nation,” the California governor wrote.

In response, Arkansas State Representative Andrew Collins countered: “1. She was governor for a month. crime. They are from generation to generation. And they are not unique to Arkansas. 3. Don’t embarrass my state.”

SUSPECTED GANGANDA MEMBER CHARGED IN CALIFORNIA STYLE ASSAULT WHICH DIED SIX DEAD PLEASES NOT GUILTY

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas, delivers the Republican response to President Biden’s address to the US Congress in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA, Tuesday, February 7, 2023 (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Collins represents District 73, which includes Riverdale, Pleasant Valley, and Pinnacle.

Newsom’s criticism came after Gov. Sanders issued a Republican rebuttal to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address Tuesday.

Sanders said the country is at a tipping point where Americans are faced with a choice “between normal or crazy.”

“Being a mom of three young kids has taught me not to believe every story I hear. So forgive me for not believing most of what I heard tonight from President Biden. From runaway inflation and violent crime to a dangerous border crisis and the threat from China, Biden and the Democrats have failed you,” Sanders said.

Biden vows ‘nothing’ will change in next two years despite majority saying US is heading in ‘wrong direction’

“The choice is between normal or crazy,” she added. “It’s time for a new generation of Republican leadership.”

“The Democrats want to rule us with increased state control, but we are not like that,” she said. “It’s time for a change.”

REP. CISCOMANI HAND THAT BIDEN DISTRIBUTE THE ECONOMY IN UNION STATE DENIAL: ‘BUYING EGGS IS A LUXURY’

The Republican governor, who previously served as White House secretary in the Trump administration, also compared Biden’s age to her own and said he ceded “his presidency” to more progressive voices in his party.

“At 40, I am the youngest governor in the country. At 80, he is the oldest president in American history. I am the first woman to lead my state. I can’t even tell you what a woman is,” Sanders said.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas, speaks at the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas, introduces the Arkansas LEARNS Formation Bill in Little Rock, Arkansas on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

“In radical left America, Washington taxes you and sets fire to your hard-earned money, but you are crushed by high gas prices, empty grocery shelves, and our children are taught to hate each other because of their race, but not to love each other or our great country. ‘ she continued.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The next day, Sanders unveiled a bill that proposed an overhaul of the state’s education system, including removing critical race theory from school curricula, providing school choice, and raising the minimum wage for teachers to $50,000 a year.

California Governor Gavin Newsom during a press conference on February 1, 2023 in Sacramento, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas ranks 5th in terms of homicide deaths, while California ranks 26th. The ranking is from 2020, the most recent year data is available.

However, the same dataset shows that California ranks first in total homicides (2,368 deaths) while Arkansas drops to 22nd (654).

Brandon Gillespie of Fox News contributed to this report.