This could hurt him.
The primary super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Never Back Down, has made a significant move by canceling its remaining TV ad reservations in both Iowa and New Hampshire. Their chairman, Scott Wagner, announced that the group will refocus on their ground operations while entrusting Fight Right, another super PAC supporting DeSantis, to handle TV ad spending moving forward.
Wagner emphasized Never Back Down’s commitment to executing an advanced grassroots and political caucus operation in the race, aiming to secure the GOP nomination for Governor DeSantis. He expressed confidence in Fight Right and other supporters managing the TV airtime while they concentrate on groundwork across key states like Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
The cancellation of Never Back Down’s ad reservations, totaling more than $2.5 million according to AdImpact, signifies a strategic shift. Fight Right, led by Taryn Fenske, plans to invest over $2.5 million in TV ads specifically in Iowa, commencing this Sunday. Notably, one of their ads, costing more than $1 million, targets former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, a rival GOP nominee, highlighting her alleged stance on China during her tenure as governor.
Additionally, a new player in support of DeSantis, Good Fight, is entering the scene with a focus on positive advertisements for the candidate. They’ve already secured nearly $300,000 worth of airtime in Iowa, as reported by AdImpact.
This transition to Good Fight and the increased emphasis on Fight Right’s efforts follows internal unrest within Never Back Down, marked by the departure of key strategists amid reported internal conflicts. Despite having been the top spender among all campaigns and super PACs in the GOP primary, pouring over $40 million into ads, Never Back Down ceased airing ads in mid-December.
Fight Right has overtaken Never Back Down in ad spending, having allocated over $6 million for TV spots. While both entities have targeted Iowa, Fight Right has predominantly concentrated on Iowa’s media markets, aligning with DeSantis’s campaign strategy, which heavily emphasizes Iowa in its airwave endeavors.
However, recent polls indicate DeSantis trailing behind former President Donald Trump among likely GOP caucusgoers in Iowa and ranking behind Trump, Haley, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in a recent New Hampshire survey among likely Republican primary voters from Saint Anselm College Survey Center.
