Adam Putnam wants to know: ‘Where’s Ron?’

Agriculture Commissioner and Republican governor candidate Adam Putnam has mostly taken veiled shots at his opponent's lack of appearances in Florida.

On the campaign trail, Putnam says things like, "If you want to be governor of Florida, you should be focused on Florida issues and be willing to roll out your positions on things that matter to Floridians." It's clear who he's talking about, but for the most part, Putnam has avoided mentioning the "R" word: Ron DeSantis.

On Monday, though Putnam's campaign slapped a red and white winter hat on a cartoon caricature of their rival and fired of a press release asking: "Where's Ron?"

The release included a round up of stories that note DeSantis' campaign didn't respond to press inquiries about the candidates positions on issues ranging from public safety and gambling and for not acknowledging the anniversary of the Pulse nightclub massacre.

"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," Putnam spokeswoman Meredith Beatrice said in the press release.

DeSantis, a Republican Congressman, has so far not matched Putnam's frantic campaign schedule, which has included stops in Florida cities large and small, or Putnam's willingness to comment on Florida issues. When DeSantis or his campaign have decided to comment, it is usually to draw attention to Putnam's past stances on immigration; he lately has called Putnam "Amnesty Adam" in campaign emails.

Instead, DeSantis has largely touted his allegiance to President Donald Trump and often appears on Fox News to defend the administration amid the probe into Russian election interference, though he recently held rallies in the Florida panhandle, spent the weekend in Smyrna Beach and Clay counties and Monday was in Manatee County.

UPDATE: Here's a response from DeSantis campaign spokesman Dave Vasquez.

"Only a career politician like Adam Putnam would brag about how much time he spends campaigning, just after a damaging (Inspector General) report that he buried for a year came out proving he had spent too much time campaigning and not enough time working for the people of Florida."