“I Pray Ron DeSantis Is Our 47th President”: DeSantis’ Super Pac CEO Steps Down Amid Infighting

Jo ShawNov 28, 2023

Minute Read

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis seemed to take a heavy blow on the eve before Thanksgiving as the CEO of his super PAC “Never Back Down” actually backed down and announced his resignation. His announcement came after reports of infighting and a controversial ad campaign run by the PAC. However, it wasn’t all bad news for DeSantis over the holiday period, as another newly formed PAC was waiting in the wings.

CEO Stepped Down After Infighting

On the eve of Thanksgiving, Governor Ron DeSantis’s political campaign faced turmoil as the CEO of the super PAC, which had assumed control of his presidential bid, stepped down following days of internal discord. Reports indicate that disputes emerged concerning strategy, funding, and methods to counter the growing momentum of GOP rival Nikki Haley.

The Position Was Untenable

The CEO of Never Back Down, Chris Jankowski, the primary super PAC supporting DeSantis’s Presidential campaign, resigned, citing in a statement to Reuters that his role had become “untenable.”

DeSantis Not Unhappy

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A source for CNN had told them that DeSantis and his wife were “not unhappy with the CEO’s efforts overall.” The source reportedly told CNN, “I think overall he’s impressed with the ground game operation there,” but added they were “not as impressed with the ads as they would like to be.”

DeSantis Trails Trump in the Polls

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Recent polls indicate a significant decline in DeSantis’ standing over the past few months. According to a September Reuters/Ipsos survey of likely Republican primary voters, he lags behind Trump by nearly 40 points.

Ads Were Targeted at Hayley

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The New York Times reported that Jankowski’s choice coincided with establishing a new Super PAC supporting DeSantis’s presidential candidacy. This decision was also influenced by complaints from the governor and his wife regarding Never Back Down ads targeting former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley over her stance on China.

Donors Switching to Hayley

This development could impact conservative donors, as they might view former US ambassador Nikki Haley, who is steadily gaining popularity, as a potential candidate to rally behind as a leading contender against Trump.

Team DeSantis Has Been Volatile

Jankowski’s departure adds to the series of exits from DeSantis’ beleaguered campaign, where he terminated more than twenty campaign staffers and replaced the campaign manager during the summer.

A Difference of Strategic Opinion

In a statement to Reuters, Jankowski said, “Never Back Down’s main goal and sole focus has been to elect Governor Ron DeSantis as President. Given the current environment, it has become untenable for me to deliver on the shared goal, and that goes well beyond a difference of strategic opinion.”

For the Future of Our Country

“For the future of our country, I support and pray Ron DeSantis is our 47th president,” he added.

The Redistricting Majority Project

Jankowski played a pivotal role in crafting the 2010 Republican initiative, Redmap, the Redistricting Majority Project.

Controlling Congress

In 2010, a political strategist Karl Rove penned a column for the Wall Street Journal, outlining a nationwide strategy to secure majorities in state legislatures. Rove’s column read, “He who controls redistricting can control Congress.”

States Redraw Their Electoral Maps

The strategy relied on the practice of states redrawing their electoral maps every decade based on fresh Census data. REDMAP focused on states where a minimal shift in statehouse seats could tip the balance in favor of Republican control in 2010.

A Spectacular Plan

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The Redmap strategy proved highly successful, illustrated by the outcome in 2012 when Democratic statehouse candidates in Pennsylvania secured 51 percent of the vote, a state that favored Barack Obama in the presidential election. However, despite this majority vote, these candidates had only 28 percent of the seats in the legislature.

DeSantis Super PAC Is Out

Shane Goldmacher, the New York Times National Political Correspondent, shared the news on X ”NEWS w/@maggieNYT: Chris Jankowski, the CEO of Never Back Down, the top DeSantis super PAC, is OUT. He resigned on Wednesday.”

Super PAC Organized Events

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Despite the legal prohibition on coordination between super PACs and campaigns, Never Back Down has orchestrated events nationwide where DeSantis has made appearances.

Never Back Down Spent $41 Million

According to CNN, the Never Back Down Super PAC has reportedly invested a minimum of $41 million in supporting DeSantis and contributed millions more to campaign events. Additionally, the PAC allegedly received a transfer exceeding $80 million from political funds accumulated in his state-level fundraising committee.

Formation of a New Super PAC

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However, it is not all bad news for the Florida governor. The creation of a recently announced super PAC supporting Ron DeSantis was confirmed. Fight Right Inc. officially registered as a super PAC with the FEC last week. This Super PAC can receive unlimited contributions and engage in independent expenditures to bolster DeSantis’ candidacy for the White House.

New PAC Already Booked Ad Time

The recently established PAC, Fight Right Inc., has already secured approximately $918,000 in advertising time for the upcoming week. The ads are scheduled to air in Iowa media during the Thanksgiving holidays.

Excited to See More Backers

Andrew Romeo, DeSantis campaign communications director, stated, “We are excited to see even more backers stepping up to support Ron DeSantis’ candidacy,”

Strengthening the Advantage

Romeo further declared, “We’ve already seen tremendous value in the support of groups like Never Back Down, and adding new allies to the mix to independently help spread the Governor’s message will only strengthen our advantage in the important weeks and months ahead.”