DES MOINES, Iowa — The top super PAC backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for the Republican presidential nomination is cutting staff following Monday’s Iowa caucuses.
“As of 6 am [sic] this morning, I learned that I am now a free agent due to budget cuts beyond my control,” George Andrews, DeSantis caucus precinct director, posted on LinkedIn Wednesday.
It was unclear how many people were affected by the cuts, but a source familiar with the situation described the layoffs as “planned” and noted that some staff had been transferred to other early voting states from Iowa.
Andrews’ announcement was first reported by the New York Times.
Never Back Down has been instrumental in DeSantis’ journey to the White House thus far.
Ron DeSantis appears to be on the move to make a comeback in South Carolina. Getty Images
Leading up to Iowa, the super PAC is hosting events across the Hawkeye State, featuring Florida’s governor as a “special guest.”
That phrase raised some eyebrows among watchdog groups, as campaigns are prohibited from coordinating with super PACs that support any candidate.
DeSantis’ team has dismissed the complaint as “baseless.”
A caucus director of the Never Back Down caucus in Iowa revealed he was let go by the super PAC.
The 45-year-old DeSantis finished a distant second in Iowa, trailing former President Donald Trump by just under 30 percentage points.
“Never Back Down continues to host multiple on-the-ground events for Governor DeSantis in South Carolina, New Hampshire, and beyond in line with our core mission of mobilizing grassroots field operations in those states,” said super PAC CEO Scott Wagner. in a statement.
“We have mobilized several stalwart members of our Iowa team to other early primary states to assist in this effort and will continue to work to help elect Governor DeSantis, the most effective conservative leader in the race, our next President.”
Never Back Down was marred by fights and other upheavals. Reuters
The laid-off staff are expected to be paid until the end of the month, the source told The Post.
Never Back Down has raised at least $130 million since March of last year, according to the most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission.
But the group has been plagued by infighting and internal turmoil. Last month, chief strategist Jeff Roe announced his resignation amid an apparently bitter feud with Wagner.
Ron DeSantis posted a second-place finish in Iowa on Monday. Reuters
Over the course of several weeks, the super PAC took down at least five other prominent senior officials — including the founding chief executive and board chairman, who both resigned, as well as three others who were fired.
A few weeks before the Iowa caucuses, Never Back Down turned over TV advertising in Iowa to another super PAC, Fight Right.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
