DeSantis is resetting his campaign again. Some Republicans worry his message is getting in the way

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Ron DeSantis, the Florida Governor and Republican presidential candidate, is in the midst of a challenging reset of his campaign. Despite recent turbulence including two rounds of layoffs in response to fundraising issues and replacing his campaign manager, DeSantis is putting his focus on his central message of a self-proclaimed “war on woke.” During a recent bus tour through Iowa, he seemed optimistic, downplaying the recent problems in his campaign and concentrating on his plans for the nation.

However, the difficulties are not going unnoticed. Less than five months before Iowa’s presidential contest, concerns are growing within the Republican party about DeSantis’ core message and ability to manage his campaign. Three major personnel shifts, financial struggles, and signs of tension between DeSantis’ campaign and an allied super PAC are raising questions about his viability as a candidate.

While some still view DeSantis as a top pick in the caucus, others, like New York-based Republican donor Eric Levine, are calling for the GOP to unite behind an alternative to former President Donald Trump. Levine emphasized that DeSantis should address a broader range of issues and move beyond focusing on cultural wars.

The recent campaign overhaul saw the replacement of campaign manager Generra Peck with James Uthmeier, the Governor’s chief of staff, and the appointment of veteran political operative David Polyansky as deputy campaign manager. Some believe that Polyansky will be the effective head of the campaign due to his extensive experience.

In the face of stagnant polling numbers and staffing cuts, the DeSantis campaign is trying to project confidence. They are testing federal laws by leaning heavily on the Never Back Down super PAC, which has taken on a larger role, even tripling its spending in Iowa to compensate for the campaign’s financial crunch.

However, this reliance on the super PAC might also be on shaky ground. The organization’s biggest donor, Robert Bigelow, stated that he won’t donate more unless DeSantis attracts major donors and adopts a more moderate stance. Billionaire Ken Griffin, once ready to back DeSantis, has also refrained from contributing, expressing concern over some of DeSantis’ policies.

Despite these concerns, DeSantis continues to emphasize cultural issues and plans to campaign in all 99 counties in Iowa. Though he is focusing heavily on Iowa, avoiding other key states, he remains hopeful, stating that he’s ahead of where he expected to be at this point. However, the lingering issues in his campaign may pose significant hurdles in his pursuit of the presidency, and many are watching closely to see if he can turn things around before the crucial early contests.

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