A report by The Daily Beast on December 24, 2023, trouble looms for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as the 2024 presidential primary approaches. Polls and donors are ditching his campaign, creating an internal crisis, according to The New York Times and The Daily Beast.
Once a strong Republican contender, DeSantis is now grappling with sinking poll numbers, struggling to connect with voters and secure financial support. Infighting, defections, and mismanagement have marred his campaign, leading insiders to privately admit its likely demise.
Longtime adviser Ryan Tyson hinted at a dire situation, suggesting they could make the patient comfortable, a metaphor signaling little hope for recovery, as reported by The Times. Despite denial from Tyson, other sources confirmed the grim outlook.
Pressure mounts on DeSantis to withdraw from the race and focus on re-election as governor in 2026, but he resists, asserting a remaining path to victory. However, he’s taking a break from the campaign trail until December 28, citing the need for family time during the holidays.
Conflict between DeSantis’ campaign and the Never Back Down super PAC adds to the chaos, with disagreements over strategy and spending, as revealed by The Daily Beast. Accusations of fund misuse and undisclosed donors have surfaced against the PAC, which withdrew $2.5 million worth of ad buys, reported by AdImpact. The PAC’s spokesman, Matt Gorman, claimed a strategy reassessment and promised a return to action soon.
DeSantis’ campaign spokesman, Zach Hudson, dismisses reports of turmoil as fake news, asserting DeSantis’ strong position for winning the nomination. Hudson accuses the media of bias against DeSantis, favoring rivals like Mike Pence and Nikki Haley.
The core issue, as highlighted by key adviser Stuart Stevens, is DeSantis’ departure from the positive, optimistic image of past big-state governors who succeeded in securing Republican nominations. According to Stevens, DeSantis is a different kind of political figure, lacking the same positive and expansive appeal.
