Reports of discord and infighting have emerged within Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign, casting shadows over his bid for the presidency. Tensions between the official campaign and Never Back Down (NBD), the prominent super PAC supporting the Florida governor, have escalated, each side blaming the other for the campaign’s challenges since its inception.
A primary source of contention revolves around the desire to lead the campaign, with NBD expecting a more prominent role due to its significantly higher fundraising compared to the official campaign. NBD managed to raise a staggering $130 million in the second quarter, while the campaign itself lagged behind at $20 million. However, communication restrictions prevent direct collaboration, forcing both groups to wage their battle through memos, the media, and competing initiatives.
An unnamed source revealed, “It’s clear that NBD is going to be taking on a bigger role given the publicly available finances, and they are busy making ads and building the Iowa bus tour this week.” DeSantis himself is set to join the PAC’s bus tour, further complicating the power struggle. But only time will reveal if the two entities can find common ground without violating campaign finance laws.
Campaign spokesperson Andrew Romeo denies any tension, dismissing the reports as mere rumors. He emphasizes the campaign’s dedication to electing Ron DeSantis as president while expressing gratitude for groups like Never Back Down working to support their mission.
As the DeSantis campaign navigates these internal issues, it faces an uphill battle in the 2024 Republican primary polls. Recent data shows the Florida governor trailing significantly behind Donald Trump, capturing only an average of 18.4% support compared to Trump’s commanding 52.4%. The campaign’s recent restructuring, which resulted in a third of the staff being let go, aimed to revive DeSantis’s standing. However, the campaign has spent almost 40% of its second-quarter funds, primarily coming from maxed-out donors unable to contribute further.
Adding to the campaign’s challenges, two controversial ads, secretly created and published by campaign staffers, have sparked outrage. One of the ads contained Nazi imagery, leading to the firing of speechwriter Nate Hochman, while the other received criticism from both sides of the aisle for its virulent homophobia.
Navigating this turbulent landscape, the DeSantis campaign faces a critical juncture as it strives to regain momentum and overcome internal divisions, all while maintaining focus on its presidential mission.