Florida Governor Ron DeSantis attempted to reboot his struggling Presidential campaign.
Down in the polls and struggling to raise money, DeSantis is facing crunch time.
But Ron DeSantis just got hit with some bad news that could end his campaign.
DeSantis is facing a cash crunch due to lackluster fundraising.
Because of an overreliance on max-out donors who can’t contribute again combined with limited support from small dollar grassroots donors, DeSantis’ campaign was forced to lay off 38 of its 90 staffers.
Now the largest financial contributor to the pro-DeSantis Super PAC, Never Back Down, told Reuters that he would not donate another cent until his conditions were met.
Hotel entrepreneur Tim Bigelow already donated $20 million to Never Back Down.
However, he now says the money spigot is turned off unless DeSantis moderates his message.
“He does need to shift to get to moderates. He’ll lose if he doesn’t. Extremism isn’t going to get you elected,” Bigelow stated.
Bigelow told Reuters that DeSantis must move Left on abortion in order to win back his support.
“When asked which specific policies Bigelow did not support, Bigelow cited only DeSantis signing in April a bill passed by the Florida legislature banning abortions after six weeks, a move that came after Bigelow had donated the $20 million,” Reuters reported.
Bigelow made it clear to campaign manager Generra Peck that his bone of contention is the ban on abortions after six weeks DeSantis signed into law.
“There was a long period of silence where I thought maybe she had passed out,” Bigelow stated.
“But I think she took it all in,” Bigelow said, before complimenting Peck as a “very good campaign manager.”
DeSantis knows if he moves Left on abortion, then his chances to win Iowa – and his ability to stay in the race – evaporate instantly.
Bigelow’s demand could help explain why DeSantis tried to play it halfway and reject the idea of a national Pro-Life law.
Bigelow also told Reuters he needs to see DeSantis raise a substantial sum of money on his own.
“Not until I see that he’s able to generate more on his own. I’m already too big of a percentage,” Bigelow said. “A lot of his donors are still on the fence.”
Bigelow said the amount DeSantis needed to raise to win back his support is “going to be a lot.”
DeSantis’ campaign is low on money and depends on the Super PAC to run normal campaign operations.
Never Back Down is now paying for DeSantis’ events and his travel since he and his wife only fly on costly private jets.
If the Super PACs largest donor is out, then it will put incredible strain on the group to keep the DeSantis effort afloat.
Patriot Political will keep you up-to-date on any developments to this ongoing story.
