DeSantis losing favor with affluent contributors.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Presidential Campaign Faces Donor Dilemma
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) is facing a critical challenge as he seeks support for his presidential campaign. The loss of backing from his wealthy donors could be a warning sign for his political aspirations.
A recent analysis by Politico reveals that out of the 50 donors who generously contributed at least $160,000 to his previous campaigns leading up to his 2022 gubernatorial reelection, only 16, less than one-third, have chosen to donate to his allied super PAC Never Back Down. Additionally, only eight donors have directly contributed to his campaign. It’s important to note that super PACs have no limit on contributions, while direct campaign donations are subject to limitations.
Shifting Loyalties and Support
Among those who have not contributed to his presidential campaign, five have switched their allegiance to another candidate. Furthermore, five donors who have given to his super PAC are also supporting a different Republican candidate.
Notably, former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, one of DeSantis’s major donors during his 2022 campaign, seems to have withdrawn his support for DeSantis in 2024. Instead, Rauner appears to be favoring former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley.
“I think he’s done a terrific job as governor of Florida, and I’ve been, as I think you know, a big supporter of him in that role,” Rauner said. Then, he added, “I think Nikki Haley probably has the best chance to win the general election. … I think everyone is trying to sort things out. We gotta win. We gotta win the general.”
The decline in support from major donors reflects the challenges DeSantis’s campaign has faced in recent months. His popularity in national polls has significantly decreased since March, with recent polls indicating that he is struggling to maintain a support level above 15%. In contrast, former President Donald Trump consistently garners over half of the Republican vote in most recent polls.
Despite these setbacks, DeSantis’s campaign remains well-funded, with Never Back Down reporting a substantial $97 million on hand by the end of June.
“Ron DeSantis outraised both Biden and Trump last quarter, and we continue to see overwhelming enthusiasm from grassroots and major supporters chipping in to help our campaign,” said Andrew Romeo, a DeSantis campaign spokesman. “We look forward to continued fundraising success this quarter as we capitalize on his strong debate performance and momentum in the early states.”
As the race for the presidency intensifies, DeSantis must navigate the challenges of retaining donor support while also appealing to a broader base of voters.
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