Thomas Beaumont
The super PAC promoting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to have dozens of staff in place in the first 18 states on the Republican presidential primary calendar in the coming weeks, a move indicating that his expected 2024 announcement is drawing closer.
The plans, shared with The Associated Press, are part of the group Never Back Down’s strategy to begin political organizing for DeSantis all the way through Super Tuesday on March 5 and point to a novel approach the super PAC is attempting ahead of a likely DeSantis run.
In Iowa, where the leadoff GOP caucuses are expected to begin the 2024 voting, the group has placed about a half-dozen staff, including the former chief of staff to Gov. Kim Reynolds, as part of a broader strategy to handle on-the-ground organizing for DeSantis, a function typically done by a candidate’s campaign staff.
The concept has been tried in previous election cycles, though less ambitiously and with little success.
Ahead of the 2016 Republican presidential race, a super PAC supporting former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush deployed organizing staff in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Bush, however, struggled to break through as an energizing figure in the crowded field, especially when Donald Trump began his unexpected ascent, and finished a disappointing fourth in both states before dropping out after the South Carolina primary.
The pro-DeSantis group hopes to have better luck. The super PAC spokesperson, Erin Perrine, says the moves put Never Back Down in a “dominant” position in the four early states.
“We are ahead of the game in expanding our operations outside of the first four primary states as the energy behind Governor Ron DeSantis to run for President and defeat Joe Biden in 2024 continues to grow,” Perrine said in a statement.
DeSantis, already considered Trump’s top GOP rival, could announce a 2024 presidential bid as soon as this week, now that the Florida Legislature has wrapped up its Session. With Republican supermajorities, DeSantis was able to sign into law a six-week ban on abortion, efforts to shield students from lessons on LGBTQ+ issues, further crackdowns on immigrants in the country illegally, a prohibition on gender-affirming care for minors and allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons.
DeSantis has visited Iowa and other early-voting states while promoting his new memoir and his tenure in Florida. He is expected back in Iowa on Saturday to meet influential activists and donors in the northwestern part of the state as the headliner for a picnic fundraiser for U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra. DeSantis is also appearing at an Iowa Republican Party fundraiser that evening in Cedar Rapids.
But DeSantis will have to share the political stage in Iowa on Saturday with Trump, who is scheduled to hold an organizing rally in Des Moines that evening.
The lack of limits on how much money a super PAC can raise from an individual make such groups tantalizing outlets for wealthy donors who want to exert influence. The prohibition from coordinating with a campaign can complicate an outside group’s ability to enhance the candidate’s own message.
Never Back Down has been airing ads since April in the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. Veteran Republican strategist Jeff Roe, who helped guide Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to winning the 2016 Iowa caucuses, is advising the leading PAC’s organizing effort.
The group said last month that it had raised $30 million.
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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
11 comments
Dont Say FLA
May 9, 2023 at 8:02 am
Rhonda gotta wait until his special law change takes effect so he isn’t officially breaking the law breaking the law breaking the law, breaking the law breaking the law breaking the law, breaking the law breaking the law breaking the law. “Donor Back Down PAC”… Don’t Bend Over PAC” … “Never Back Down” … “Stand Your Ground” … Whatever they want to call it, who cares, it’s just rich people tossing their money down an a-hole
Anaconda or Rhonda
May 9, 2023 at 8:23 am
In his pants he think lives an anaconda it’s just rhonda, rhonda’s panties. rhonda’s panties.
Wadded like a crumpled piece of paper on the floor at Maga Lardo, lies rhonda pardo, rhonda pardo, lil phat lardo, lil phat lardo
Always claimin’ everyone’s a weirdo, but she’s his beard, oh, she’s his beard, oh
Rhonda’s panties, crazy antics for crazy antiques. Never bend over, Peace out it’s over. Rhonda’s over. Adios y’all!
Michael K
May 9, 2023 at 8:25 am
From the looks of things, DeSantis seems to be taking his marching orders (or stealing his “ideas”) from Viktor Oban and trying to peel off the pro-Putin radical right wing of what remains of the Republican Party.
We need FP (or ProPublica) to uncover the true costs of this yet-announced campaign to Florida taxpayers, and the money behind it. Sunshine is always the best disinfectant.
Earl Pitts American
May 9, 2023 at 8:36 am
Good morning America,
Great news to report:
I, Earl Pitts “Master Political Advisor” am working without pay behind the spotlight directing our all of our critical public imageing and messaging aspects of this “The Greatest Political Campaign Ever”.
Stand by for the greatest spanking of dook 4 brains leftists since “The Ronald Regan Landslide”!!!!!!
FYI you will be overjoyed to know the esteamed Honorable Former President Trump is working behind the curtian with me, Earl Pitts “Master Political Advisor” American, and he is prepared to gracefully bow out of this campaign and endorse Ron upon my, Earl Pitts “Master Political Advisor” American’s signal.
So remember America: until I, Earl Pitts “Master Political Advisor” American, give the signal both Don and Ron have been instructed to fight like 2 rabid pit bulls in a “To The End” cage match.
So dont get yourself over stimulated by the intensity of the fight because Truth, Justice, and The American Way will rule the day in 2024.
ps: I have produced this message in a hi-tech method which will prevent dook 4 brains leftists from reading it. So regardless of who your dook 4 brains friends are – if you can read this all critical message you will be voting for Desantis. This is undisputable Science which you must trust 100%.
Thank you America,
Earl Pitts American
Iowans For DeSantis 2024
May 9, 2023 at 8:47 am
Looking forward to caucusing for Gov DeSantis http://www.iowansfordesantis2024.com
https://www.facebook.com/IowaForDeSantis
https://twitter.com/IowaForDeSantis
Earl Pitts American
May 9, 2023 at 10:00 am
Good morning America,
I, Earl Pitts American, thank the entire State Of Iowa for their unwavering support of America’s Govorner and next POTUS Ron Desantis, and me, Earl Pitts American.
Together we will particapate in the greatest landslide fir Truth, Justice, and The American Way by electing Ron Desantis POTUS in 2024.
Thank you Iowa thank you America,
Earl Pitts American
JD
May 9, 2023 at 12:21 pm
It’s Tom with a new moniker. They kicked you off with the old one so you reincarnated as Earl Pitts? It fits with the original Tom’s knowledge and his history/age to even know of Earl Pitts…
Welcome back Tom.
JD
May 9, 2023 at 12:21 pm
The “America’s Governor” was the tipping point to figuring it out.
Earl Pitts American
May 9, 2023 at 7:29 pm
Thank you JD,
I do have a twin brother, Tom Pitts American, and he is my hero. My lovely wife, Earlene Pitts “Drop Them Panties Girl” American says I am more endowed than Tom.
Thank you for your love and support JD,
Earl Pitts American
John Barron
May 9, 2023 at 11:48 am
They are hiring because everyone who tries to work for Meatball Ron quits in disgust. No leadership!!! And such terrible manners!!!
Earl Pitts American
May 10, 2023 at 7:05 am
Good morning John,
Why am I, Earl Pitts American, getting the feeling you are A Dook 4 Brains Leftist?
Thank you “John Dook 4 Brains Leftist”,
Earl Pitts American
Comments are closed.