Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, faced a challenging situation during a campaign stop in Iowa. A heckler interrupted his speech at the Fireside Grill in Altoona, causing a notable fluster in his demeanor. DeSantis attempted to address the heckler, asserting Florida’s ranking in education, but was continuously talked over. This incident added to the troubles following a recent Washington Post article that sparked the resignation of his Super PAC’s chief strategist, Jeff Roe. Roe cited “mismanagement and conduct issues” as his reasons for stepping down.
Super PAC Chaos: High-Profile Resignations and Legal Accusations
The Super PAC supporting DeSantis, Never Back Down, has been in turmoil with multiple resignations, including former CEO Chris Jankowski and former chairman Adam Laxalt. Additionally, allegations of illegal coordination between DeSantis and the Super PAC have emerged, leading to a Federal Election Commission filing by the nonprofit watchdog group Campaign Legal Center. Despite these challenges and a substantial polling gap behind former President Donald Trump, DeSantis’s campaign expressed confidence in their remaining team as the Iowa caucuses approach.