Washington (AP) – Ron DeSantis, a Republican presidential contender and former President Donald Trump’s main rival in the GOP’s 2024 primary contest, has made substantial staff cuts as he faces unexpected financial difficulties.
Campaign aides, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that DeSantis has cut a total of 38 campaign staff members, which amounts to a third of the team. This is in addition to the “less than 10” employees who were let go earlier in the month. These drastic measures have been taken after federal filings showed that DeSantis’ campaign was rapidly depleting its funds, even before launching a significant paid advertising campaign.
In a statement, Generra Peck, DeSantis’ campaign manager, explained the reasoning behind these staffing cuts: “Following a comprehensive review of our organization, we have taken aggressive steps to streamline operations and position Ron DeSantis as the strongest candidate in this primary. Our goal is to defeat Joe Biden and lead the Great American Comeback. We are fully prepared to hit the ground running as we enter this critical phase of the campaign.”
The revelation about the staff reductions coincided with an unfortunate incident involving DeSantis. He was involved in a multi-car accident on a Tennessee highway during a fundraising tour. Fortunately, neither DeSantis nor campaign officials reported any injuries. However, a female staff member did sustain a minor injury and received medical treatment.
Despite these challenges, DeSantis remains determined to forge ahead, demonstrating his commitment to becoming the Republican nominee and ultimately winning the election. # DeSantis Struggles in Presidential Campaign
The presidential campaign of Ron DeSantis, once seen as a strong contender among Republican primary voters, has hit a new low. As a distant second in most polls, DeSantis is now facing scrutiny from GOP operatives and donors who question his readiness for the national stage.
Trump’s allies wasted no time celebrating DeSantis’ campaign struggles on social media, with the Trump campaign tweeting, “TURMOIL IN TALLAHASSEE.”
However, despite his current challenges, DeSantis still has six months before the first votes of the primary season, giving him time to rebound. This comes as Trump’s allies prepare for the possibility of a third criminal indictment.
While DeSantis’ team has quietly expressed confidence that voters will eventually grow tired of Trump’s legal troubles and personal baggage, these issues are dominating the U.S. legal system just as the GOP primary intensifies. As a result, DeSantis and his rivals are struggling to break through, while Trump’s popularity among Republican primary voters continues to strengthen.
Despite these obstacles, DeSantis has managed to raise an impressive $150 million for his presidential ambitions so far. The majority of this sum, $130 million, has been contributed to a super PAC run by allies who are legally unable to coordinate with the campaign.
In addition, the DeSantis campaign itself managed to raise over $20 million in just six weeks after entering the race. However, recent federal filings have revealed that more than $8 million has already been spent on various expenses, including a large staff, extensive security measures, and luxury travel.
The latest news of staffing cuts within the campaign was first reported by Politico.