Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis heavily relied on the super PAC Never Back Down to fund and organize his presidential campaign, with the PAC spending over four times the amount his campaign did. The super PAC not only handled advertising but also led the ground organizing efforts, spending millions on canvassing and field operations. Internal drama within the super PAC led to the creation of other outside groups to support DeSantis. Despite significant spending on travel and staff, DeSantis struggled to grow his donor base and ended the year with funds that could only be used in a general election, ultimately dropping out of the race after a second-place showing in the Iowa caucuses.
Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign faced mismanagement and wasted efforts from the start, with internal chaos, financial struggles, and a failed ground game in early states. Despite initial momentum and a landslide re-election victory in 2022, DeSantis now faces a likely blowout in New Hampshire and significant polling deficits. The campaign's heavy focus on culture war fights cost DeSantis donor support, while a reliance on Never Back Down super PAC led to in-fighting and negative headlines. DeSantis is now battling to be the last person standing against Trump, but his path forward appears near impossible.
A watchdog group, Campaign Legal Center, has filed a complaint alleging that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and a super PAC supporting his presidential bid, Never Back Down, violated federal campaign finance laws by illegally coordinating their activities. Never Back Down, which received over $80 million from a committee previously raising funds for DeSantis' reelection campaign, has been accused of using its resources to pay for operations in Iowa and hosting events with DeSantis. The complaint argues that this coordination undermines campaign finance regulations and gives special interest backers undue influence. The DeSantis campaign has dismissed the complaint as baseless, while Campaign Legal Center has filed a total of five complaints against DeSantis or his donors this year.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign and the super PAC supporting him, Never Back Down, have been hit with a complaint by the Campaign Legal Center, alleging coordination between the two entities in violation of federal election laws. The complaint accuses Never Back Down of making in-kind contributions to DeSantis' campaign, which goes against the requirement for super PACs to remain independent. DeSantis' campaign spokesman dismissed the complaint as baseless, while the super PAC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Never Back Down has been heavily involved in DeSantis' Iowa ground game, and the complaint follows the recent departure of its chief operative.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis continues to focus on attacking his rivals for the Republican nomination, including Donald Trump and Nikki Haley, despite the internal turmoil within his super PAC, Never Back Down. The group has lost several key leaders and has faced criticism for its changing mission and strategy. DeSantis and his allies are now trying to go on the offensive against his opponents, while a new super PAC, Fight Right, has been created to run ads against Haley. The future of Never Back Down remains uncertain, but DeSantis's campaign expresses confidence in its ground game and field operation.
The chief strategist of Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign, has resigned following statements made by the group's chairman about recent departures of senior officials. Jeff Roe cited the statements as false and an unwanted distraction, expressing his inability to stay affiliated with the organization. Never Back Down has seen multiple high-profile departures, including the interim CEO, communications director, and director of operations. Roe praised the team and expressed support for Governor DeSantis' presidential aspirations.
Jeff Roe, the chief strategist for Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting Governor Ron DeSantis's presidential bid, has resigned, marking the latest departure in the group amid internal turmoil. The super PAC has experienced the resignation of one CEO and one board chairman, the firing of a second CEO and two other top officials, and now Roe's late-night resignation. The departures come as DeSantis has slipped in the polls, and the group has been plagued by infighting and accusations of mismanagement. The future of Never Back Down's operations and leadership remains uncertain.
Jeff Roe, the chief strategist for the Never Back Down super PAC supporting Governor Ron DeSantis's presidential bid, has resigned, marking the latest departure in a series of shake-ups within the group. The resignation follows accusations of mismanagement and conduct issues made by the new chairman of the super PAC's board, Scott Wagner. Roe stated that he could not stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements made by Wagner.
The pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, has experienced another shake-up as interim CEO Kristin Davison departs after just nine days in the role. This follows the recent departure of chairman Adam Laxalt and communications director Erin Perrine. Scott Wagner will now serve as Chairman of the Board and interim CEO. The organization's close association with DeSantis has led to the formation of a new pro-DeSantis super PAC, Fight Right. The departures come as DeSantis completes his tour of Iowa's 99 counties in his bid for the 2024 presidential election.
Three senior members, including the CEO, communications director, and director of operations, have left the pro-DeSantis super PAC group, Never Back Down, just weeks before the Iowa Republican caucuses. The departures come as DeSantis faces pressure to challenge former President Donald Trump's lead in Iowa and nationally, with some voters and donors considering backing Nikki Haley. The super PAC, which has been crucial to DeSantis' campaign, is now under the interim leadership of Scott Wagner. The shake-up is seen as an attempt by DeSantis' loyalists to regain control over Never Back Down, which has been funded by over $80 million from DeSantis' political accounts.
Three senior members, including the CEO, communications director, and director of operations, have left Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, just weeks before the Iowa Republican caucuses. The departures come as DeSantis faces pressure to challenge former President Donald Trump's lead in Iowa and nationally. The shake-up is seen as an attempt by DeSantis' loyalists to regain control over the super PAC, which has been instrumental in his presidential campaign. The group was initially funded with over $80 million from DeSantis' political accounts but is legally prohibited from direct coordination with the campaign.
Adam Laxalt, chairman of the super PAC Never Back Down supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign, has stepped down from his role. Laxalt, a close friend of DeSantis, cited the need to focus on his family and law practice after being involved in the campaign for nearly 26 months. This departure follows the exit of Never Back Down's CEO, Chris Jankowski, and highlights ongoing tensions between DeSantis' political operation and the super PAC. The launch of a rival super PAC, Fight Right, Inc., was reportedly prompted by negative ads associated with Never Back Down. The super PAC has already spent over $41 million supporting DeSantis.
Adam Laxalt, a friend and former roommate of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has resigned as chairman of the Never Back Down super PAC, which supports DeSantis's presidential campaign. Laxalt's departure comes after the recent resignation of the group's CEO, Chris Jankowski. The DeSantis campaign has embraced a new outside group called Fight Right to handle negative attacks on his competition, while Never Back Down continues its door-knocking operation. DeSantis and his wife have expressed discontent with some of Never Back Down's advertising, and certain ads tying former Gov. Nikki Haley to China have backfired. The group was initially funded with $82.5 million from DeSantis's political funds, and a transfer of $1 million was made to Fight Right.
Chris Jankowski, the chief executive of Never Back Down, the main super PAC supporting Gov. Ron DeSantis's presidential bid, has resigned amid internal disputes and the creation of a new outside group supporting DeSantis. The Never Back Down super PAC has been pushing the boundaries of what super PACs typically do, including paying for DeSantis's travel and attempting to build a field operation. Allies of DeSantis have raised concerns about the negative ads aired by Never Back Down and its close connection to the candidate. Jankowski's resignation comes after tensions flared at a recent strategy meeting, and concerns were raised about the handling of a $1 million transfer to a new entity for attacking DeSantis's rival, Nikki Haley.
An outside group supporting Ron DeSantis' bid for the Republican presidential nomination released an ad accusing Donald Trump of being too weak to debate in the upcoming Republican debate for 2024 hopefuls. While Trump has yet to announce his plan, the ad uses his own words against him, claiming he is afraid to debate. Trump, as the frontrunner, faces pressure to participate in the debate, but opponents have been trying to bait him into joining. DeSantis, who has struggled to gain traction in the race, needs a strong debate performance to catch up to Trump's lead in the polls.
