Jeff Roe, the top strategist for the Never Back Down super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign for the White House, announced his resignation on X.
This comes as a blow to DeSantis, as the campaign gears up for the Iowa caucuses less than a month away. Roe’s departure follows a series of internal disputes and suspicions within Never Back Down, including allegations of mismanagement and conduct issues.
With numerous senior members leaving the super PAC and the creation of a new super PAC called Fight Right by DeSantis’ Florida allies, the campaign faces growing concerns about the legality of its interactions with outside groups.
Trouble Within Never Back Down
The departure of Jeff Roe is just the latest in a string of resignations and firings within Never Back Down.
The group, which has been the largest outside supporter of DeSantis’ candidacy, has seen the exit of two chief executives, the chairman, and the communications director in recent weeks.
These departures, combined with the creation of Fight Right, signal a significant shake-up in the campaign’s support structure.
The Washington Post’s recent story shed light on the internal disputes and suspicions within Never Back Down. Accusations of mismanagement, conduct issues, and unauthorized leaks containing false information have raised questions about the super PAC’s effectiveness and credibility. Roe, in his resignation statement, expressed his disbelief at the situation and his inability to stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the false statements made in the article.
Blurring the Lines: Campaign and Super PAC Interactions
The Associated Press earlier reported concerns within DeSantis’ operation about the interactions between his campaign and the network of outside groups supporting him. Super PACs are legally prohibited from directly coordinating with campaigns.
However, multiple sources familiar with DeSantis’ political network revealed that the campaign had expressed concerns about Never Back Down’s messaging as the Iowa poll numbers stagnated. These concerns were then relayed to members of Never Back Down’s board, who in turn shared them with the super PAC staff responsible for executing strategy.
Read: Florida Gov. DeSantis Says “If Trump Loses, He Will Say It’s Stolen, No Matter What”
While DeSantis’ campaign denies any wrongdoing, the involvement of the campaign in shaping the super PAC’s messaging raises questions about the legality of their interactions. Never Back Down’s unprecedented role in the campaign, overseeing functions typically handled by campaigns, further blurs the lines between the two entities. The super PAC’s responsibilities include organizing voters, door-knocking, get-out-the-vote operations, advertising, and significant spending on commercials.
Jeff Roe: A Prominent Republican Strategist
Jeff Roe’s resignation is notable given his prominent role as a Republican strategist. He previously ran Texas Senator Ted Cruz’s 2016 presidential campaign, which famously beat former President Donald Trump in that year’s Iowa caucuses. Roe’s success also extended to advising Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin during his winning run. However, his relationship with DeSantis was relatively new, as the Florida Governor has struggled to maintain close relationships with political consultants.
Former President Trump weighed in on the news, expressing his support for Roe’s departure on his social media site from Las Vegas, where he was attending a UFC fight. The President’s reaction suggests that Roe’s exit may have implications for DeSantis’ campaign.
The Impact on DeSantis’ Campaign
DeSantis has staked his campaign on Iowa, where former President Trump leads by wide margins in recent polls. With Never Back Down’s internal troubles and the departure of key staff members, DeSantis’ campaign faces significant challenges in maintaining its momentum leading up to the caucuses.
The creation of Fight Right by DeSantis’ Florida allies adds yet another dimension to the campaign’s support structure. This new super PAC has earned the public blessing of the DeSantis campaign, further indicating a shift away from Never Back Down.
However, concerns about the legality of campaign and super PAC interactions remain, raising questions about the overall effectiveness and coordination of DeSantis’ campaign strategy.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help. Visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps.