This will put him back a bit.
The strained alliance between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign and the principal strategist at his well-funded super PAC officially dissolved on Saturday night.
In a statement shared on X, strategist Jeff Roe announced his decision, stating, “I cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements in the Washington Post today. They are not true and an unwanted distraction at a critical time for Governor DeSantis.”
The Washington Post had earlier published an extensive piece shedding light on the longstanding tensions between DeSantis’ campaign team and the super PAC, a revelation that prompted Roe’s decision.
DeSantis donor Dan Eberhart commented on Roe’s departure, acknowledging Roe’s past successes but noting that the current situation did not seem to be his time. Eberhart emphasized DeSantis’ desire to enter the final stretch with loyalists rather than nationally recognized operatives with presidential campaign experience.
Signs of the rift had been evident as individuals close to DeSantis assumed more control over the super PAC in recent weeks, resulting in the dismissal of several of Roe’s associates.
The turmoil within Never Back Down was evident in its leadership changes, with three CEOs in the past month. In addition to Roe, four top officials resigned, and three were reportedly fired. This internal chaos reflected the frustration of the governor and his inner circle, particularly regarding DeSantis’ struggles against Trump and the ascendancy of former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.
In response to these challenges, a second super PAC, Fight Right, was established last month to handle advertising, especially targeting Haley. Operated by three close DeSantis allies, Fight Right aimed to address the perceived shortcomings attributed to Roe and his team from consulting firm Axiom Strategies.
Public disputes within Never Back Down became apparent when NBC News reported a heated argument between Roe and longtime DeSantis confidant Scott Wagner during discussions about budgeting.
Wagner, now the chairman of Never Back Down, did not provide a comment on the recent developments.
DeSantis’ campaign spokesperson, Andrew Romeo, expressed confidence in the ground game and field operation of Never Back Down, praising the independent efforts of the team in supporting Ron DeSantis.
