DeSantis replaces campaign manager as he continues reset of presidential bid

Ron DeSantis, the Republican presidential contender and Governor of Florida, is overhauling his stagnant presidential campaign by replacing his campaign manager. James Uthmeier, who was DeSantis’ chief of staff in his state office, is taking over as campaign manager, stepping in for Generra Peck. Peck had previously overseen DeSantis’ reelection campaign last year before moving to manage his presidential effort but will remain involved as a strategist.

This change follows two significant staff reductions in recent weeks, with DeSantis letting go of roughly a third of his staff in late July due to financial constraints.

According to campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo, Uthmeier has been a vital adviser to Governor DeSantis for years and is essential to working closely with Generra Peck and the rest of the team. The goal is to optimally position DeSantis to win the primary and ultimately defeat Joe Biden.

Uthmeier’s previous actions have attracted attention; Politico obtained texts showing his involvement in a program to fly migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard last year, while NBC News reported an unusual arrangement where Uthmeier worked as a political fundraiser for DeSantis while still in his government office, raising ethical concerns. Before his tenure with DeSantis, Uthmeier worked in the Trump administration under Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and became part of a congressional committee investigation over his work on a 2020 census citizenship question.

Additionally, David Polyansky, an operative who was advising a super PAC supporting DeSantis, will join the campaign as deputy campaign manager. Romeo highlighted Polyansky’s critical importance to the team, especially his experience in early voting Iowa, a key testing ground for DeSantis. Polyansky’s previous campaign experience includes working for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, assisting Joni Ernst in her 2014 Senate win, and contributing to Mike Huckabee’s win in the 2008 Iowa Republican presidential caucuses.

Polyansky was seen with DeSantis in Iowa at events sponsored by Never Back Down and attended a function where DeSantis spoke for Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird on Saturday. This was separate from DeSantis’ official campaign but part of Never Back Down’s organizational activities.

The news of this staff shakeup was initially reported by The Messenger on Tuesday, with additional contributions to the report by Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines, writing for Big Big News.

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More about fokus keyword DeSantis campaign overhaul

• Ron DeSantis’ Official Campaign Website
• Politico’s Coverage of the DeSantis Campaign
• NBC News Report on James Uthmeier’s Unusual Arrangement
• The Messenger’s Original Reporting on the Staff Shakeup