Never Back Down, the leading super Political Action Committee supporting Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign for president, has experienced significant staff shakeups in recent weeks. Kristen Davison, the interim CEO, was fired after less than two weeks on the job, following the resignation of former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt as board chairman. These departures raise concerns about the stability of the DeSantis campaign as it prepares for the upcoming Iowa caucus.
The firing of Davison marks the latest change in leadership for Never Back Down, with Chris Jankowski stepping down as CEO on November 22. Scott Wagner, a long-time DeSantis ally, has been named as the new interim CEO and board chairman. Never Back Down spokesperson Erin Perrine was also fired, and other staff members have reportedly left the super PAC. These recent developments have led to questions about the future functioning of Never Back Down.
In addition to the internal turmoil, concerns have been raised about Never Back Down’s effectiveness in supporting the DeSantis campaign. The campaign believes that the super PAC’s TV ads have not been successful and have suggested shifting focus towards a get-out-the-vote program. The formation of a new super PAC, Fight Right, by DeSantis allies further raises doubts about Never Back Down’s role in the campaign.
As Never Back Down faces challenges, DeSantis allies are attempting to regroup and refocus their efforts. The new super PAC, Fight Right, will concentrate on TV advertising, while Never Back Down will prioritize field deployment in preparation for the Iowa caucus. However, DeSantis himself is facing difficulties in gaining ground on former President Trump in the polls for the GOP nomination, as former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley gains momentum.
The ongoing turmoil within Never Back Down and the DeSantis campaign highlights the need for stability and effective strategies as the 2024 presidential race intensifies. With the Iowa caucus approaching, DeSantis and his team must address these challenges in order to maintain their position in the highly competitive Republican primary.
