A super PAC supporting the Republican presidential candidacy of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, named “Never Back Down,” has gained significant backing from disillusioned staffers formerly associated with the influential Koch network. This development follows the controversial endorsement of Nikki Haley by the Koch-backed organization, Americans for Prosperity (AFP).
Prominent political operative Chris Maidment, hailing from New Hampshire, publicly criticized AFP’s decision to endorse Haley, leading to his departure from the organization. Maidment, now assuming the role of New Hampshire political director for the DeSantis-backed super PAC, cited his opposition to Haley’s candidacy, particularly her interventionist foreign policy inclinations, as a key factor in his decision.
Maidment, formerly AFP’s director of grassroots operations in New Hampshire, expressed his dissatisfaction with the endorsement on social media, going so far as to declare that he would choose to vote for President Joe Biden over Haley. Subsequently terminated from his position at AFP, Maidment explained, “Nikki Haley represents this failed past, while Governor DeSantis represents the future.”
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The discord within the Koch network is not isolated to Maidment’s departure. Never Back Down, in a bid to bolster its ranks, has also recruited two grassroots directors from Iowa who parted ways with AFP due to similar concerns over the Haley endorsement.
This wave of defections underscores a growing division within the Koch network and its affiliated organizations. While AFP officials downplay internal conflicts, attributing staff transitions to the normal course of primary season, the recruitment of former AFP members by Never Back Down signals a broader dissatisfaction with recent decisions made by the organization.
As both Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis vie for second place in the Republican presidential contest, trailing former President Donald Trump, strategic shifts have emerged within DeSantis’ campaign. A new super PAC, Fight Right, led by one of DeSantis’ close allies, has surfaced, reflecting the campaign’s adaptability amid shifting dynamics.
Internal challenges persist for Never Back Down as well, with the appointment of its third CEO in just two weeks. Despite these internal upheavals, the super PAC remains steadfast in its mission to rally disenchanted Koch network staffers and propel Ron DeSantis towards securing the Republican nomination for the presidency.
