Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made the surprising decision to end his presidential campaign due to financial struggles. After spending tens of millions of dollars on organizing and advertising, DeSantis and his wife, Casey, concluded that they did not have the necessary funds to continue their bid for the presidency. The announcement came as a shock to many of his loyal staffers and supporters.
According to AdImpact data, the DeSantis campaign and three super PACs that were formed to support him, namely Never Back Down, Fight Right, and Good Fight, had already spent over $60 million on pro-DeSantis advertising. However, Never Back Down, the initial super PAC established to bolster DeSantis’ White House aspirations, faced criticism regarding its resource management and experienced significant staff turmoil.
Despite these challenges, Never Back Down initially received a substantial amount of funding from DeSantis himself. Having amassed over $80 million during his tenure as the governor of Florida, DeSantis provided the super PAC with a massive stockpile of funds. This allowed the group to launch an impressive campaign right from the start, complete with lavish TV ads, a large staff, and even some campaign infrastructure.
In fact, Federal Election Commission records indicate that Never Back Down raised an astounding $130 million during the first half of 2023 alone. By July of that year, they had nearly $100 million in cash on hand. However, despite this substantial financial backing, the super PAC still encountered difficulties and faced criticism for its management practices.
On the other hand, the DeSantis campaign itself had raised more than $31 million by midyear, according to FEC records. However, a portion of these funds were only available for use in the general election. As the fourth quarter of last year approached, the campaign found itself facing a cash crunch with just $5 million in hand for the presidential primary as of September 30. The campaign had not yet disclosed the amount raised in the final quarter of the year.
The decision to end his presidential campaign was a difficult one for Governor DeSantis, who had garnered a considerable amount of support and enthusiasm. However, the financial realities of running a campaign proved to be a significant obstacle. Despite his exit from the race, DeSantis remains a prominent figure in Florida politics and will continue to serve as the state’s governor.
The future remains uncertain for DeSantis, but his decision to prioritize financial responsibility demonstrates a commitment to prudent spending. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how DeSantis navigates his next steps and whether he will re-emerge on the national stage in the future.
In conclusion, Governor Ron DeSantis’ decision to end his presidential campaign due to financial struggles has surprised many. Despite spending tens of millions of dollars on advertising and organizing, DeSantis and his wife determined that they did not have sufficient funds to continue their bid for the presidency. The campaign faced challenges with resource management, while the super PACs formed to support DeSantis also encountered significant staff turmoil. Nonetheless, DeSantis remains a prominent figure in Florida politics and will continue to serve as the state’s governor.
