Chris Jankowski, the CEO of Never Back Down, the principal super PAC supporting Governor Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign, resigned on Wednesday, in the wake of the formation of a new pro-DeSantis group and signs of discord among the governor’s camp. The resignation, effective immediately, was given by Jankowski to the board of Never Back Down. This development follows a period of internal strife within the super PAC, and repeated attempts alongside the DeSantis campaign to push the boundaries of regulation for such organizations.
The tension has been ongoing for weeks among DeSantis and his allies over the super PAC’s advertising strategy, specifically its attack ads against Nikki Haley. Casey and Ron DeSantis specifically are believed to be irate at the content of the ads.
Contention peaked at a strategy meeting at Never Back Down’s Atlanta headquarters last week, where disagreements flared over financial issues and the $1 million transfer to the newly created entity, Fight Right, for use in more attack ads against Haley. Some board members expressed concern over the transfer, questioning the super PAC’s management of funds. One of the points of contention involved a claim that DeSantis was being unjustly blamed by voters for the negative advertising. Jankowski, a significant figure in conservative circles, has yet to comment.