DeSantis Fires One-Third of His Team amid Struggles in Presidential Campaign
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is vying for the Republican presidential nomination, has fired one-third of his campaign team following a rocky start to his campaign. According to sources within his campaign, 38 individuals were let go. Previously, there were reports that DeSantis was planning to dismiss fewer than ten employees.
Generra Peck, his campaign manager, stated that the team had taken additional aggressive steps after a thorough evaluation to streamline operations and put DeSantis “in the strongest position to win these primaries and defeat Joe Biden.” Polls show DeSantis trailing behind Trump
Observers view the personnel purge as a new low for DeSantis, who entered the Republican primary race in May with high expectations. He had long been seen by many in the party as the most promising intra-party rival to former President Donald Trump, who plans to return to the White House in 2024.
However, two months later, DeSantis consistently trails behind Trump by a wide margin in most polls. Many party leaders and donors are now questioning whether the 44-year-old governor is even ready for the national stage. Campaign’s financial difficulties
DeSantis’ campaign is also facing unexpected financial challenges. While donations totaling $150 million have been raised for his campaign so far, a majority of the funds – $130 million – went to a so-called Super PAC. These organizations can accept unlimited donations and use them to promote specific candidates or political issues. While they have significant influence on the campaign, they are legally prohibited from directly providing financial support to candidates.
For his own campaign, DeSantis raised over $20 million in the first six weeks after announcing his candidacy. However, recent filings with the election commission revealed that he and his team spent over $8 million within a short period on more than 100 paid staff members, a large security detail, and luxury trips. It’s worth noting that DeSantis has not yet launched a significant number of campaign advertisements. The news magazine “Politico” first reported on the recent staff cuts in his team.