Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis appeared to brush off concerns over the recent resignation of a top strategist for a super PAC backing his White House bid.
Asked for his thoughts about the resignation of Jeff Roe from Never Back Down over the weekend, DeSantis told reporters, “I’m not involved in any of that.”
“As you guys know, it’s a separate entity and so it’s just … this stuff just happens, and it’s not in my purview of what’s out there,” DeSantis continued. He later added, “It’s not a distraction for me … I know media may want to do it but at the end of the day, I’m focused on the mission.”
Roe’s resignation from Never Back Down came hours after a Washington Post report shared a series of statements from the PAC that discussed “allegations of mismanagement and conduct issues, including several leaks containing false information” that led to the termination of multiple senior officials.
In a statement on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Roe said he “cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down (NBD) given the statements in the Washington Post today. They are not true and an unwanted distraction at a critical time for Governor DeSantis.”
“I can’t believe it ended this way. I’m so proud to have worked alongside these men and women at NBD 24/7 the past nine months to save the country,” Roe wrote, adding later, “I’m so sorry I can’t be there with you.”
The PAC has made headlines in recent weeks following the resignation or firing of a series of its senior members. Chris Jankowski, the now-former CEO of Never Back Down, stepped down last month, citing the PAC’s environment. Former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt (R), who was serving as the chairman of the super PAC, stepped down earlier this month, saying he needs to return his attention to his family and law practice.
DeSantis, also the governor of Florida, told reporters Monday that he knows “the ground organization that was built up over there has been exceptional, and I think that’ll come to fruition on caucus night.”
While super PACs are legally barred from directly coordinating with campaigns, multiple people familiar with DeSantis’s political network told The Associated Press (AP) that he and his wife discussed concerns about the PAC’s messaging amid low polling numbers in Iowa.
Never Back Down often oversaw functions usually handled by campaigns, such as voter organization through door-knocking campaigns, as well as large advertising efforts, per the AP.
In a statement to The Hill on Sunday, DeSantis communications director Andrew Romeo said the campaign has “full confidence” in the PAC’s “independent efforts” to back DeSantis.
“We have full confidence in the NBD ground game and field operation, which is second to none. There is a stellar team in place and we appreciate their independent efforts to fight for Ron DeSantis,” Romeo said.
Former President Trump, who remains the front-runner in the GOP primary against DeSantis and others, dug into the Florida governor in the wake of Roe’s resignation, writing on social media, “Jeff Roe is out — GAME OVER for DeSanctimonious!”
Another pro-DeSantis super PAC, called Fight Right, was created in recent months and received a $1 million infusion, the AP reported.