Ron DeSantis’s super PAC, Never Back Down, has dismissed its new CEO, Kristin Davison, just under two weeks into her role. Davison replaced the outgoing Chris Jankowski, who “backed down” from his role after a number of run-ins with other senior PAC leadership. In recent months, DeSantis has been heard to blame his own PAC for his campaign’s failings.
Davison will be replaced by Scott Wagner, a long-time ally of DeSantis who has been handed grace and favor jobs by the Florida Governor after managing his gubernatorial transition. Wagner apparently came to loggerheads with PAC strategist and Iowa “genius” Jeff Roe recently, with the pair squaring off in a board meeting. Wagner’s ‘Faithful and Strong’ Policies organization has links to Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney.
The news follows the resignation of former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who left his position as board chairman just a week ago.
Amidst the internal turmoil, a new super PAC, ‘Fight Right’, has been formed by DeSantis allies. The establishment of this new group poses questions about the future of Never Back Down’s role as the DeSantis campaign approaches the Iowa caucus on Jan 15.
The personnel shakeup comes as Never Back Down reckons with other substantial concerns, including the effectiveness of its advertising campaigns. Insiders close to the governor have reportedly voiced doubts over the PAC’s TV ads, prompting DeSantis campaign manager James Uthmeier to recommend a shift in focus to a get-out-the-vote program.