Pro-DeSantis PAC makes big move in early primary states ahead of expected 2024 bid
Julia Johnson
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A super PAC backing a 2024 presidential bid from Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) has announced its new coalition, which will be spearheading a grassroots effort in several states, including early primary states, to support the Florida governor.
Never Back Down launched Students for DeSantis on Wednesday, which it said will work to engage with communities in their respective states.
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The political action committee’s communications director, Erin Perrine, told the Washington Examiner, “Never Back Down is a grassroots movement fueled by men and women who have seen Gov. DeSantis’s successful leadership and want to see it in the White House.”
“So far, Students for DeSantis is in 17 states with 27 chapters — that is some big-time enthusiasm from young voters who know Gov. DeSantis is the future. These students will organize, recruit, and be a force in the Never Back Down movement to help make sure Gov. DeSantis becomes President DeSantis,” she continued.
According to a press release, “each chapter will actively engage in the Never Back Down grassroots movement by knocking doors, making phone calls, and hosting chapter meetings, speakers, rallies, volunteer recruitment and training, and regional leadership meetings.”
Some of the included states are South Carolina, New Hampshire, Iowa, and Nevada — all important early primary states.
In South Carolina, the PAC has chapters at both Clemson University and Furman University. It similarly has two chapters in Iowa at the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. There is currently only one chapter in both New Hampshire and Nevada, which are at Saint Anselm College and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
DeSantis has yet to announce a bid for the presidency. However, he has recently traveled to two of the all-important early primary states, making speeches in both. He also made a rare trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with Republican lawmakers.
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The Florida governor is currently polling in second place, behind only former President Donald Trump, in a hypothetical 2024 Republican primary by Morning Consult. He boasts 24% to Trump’s 53%.
Recently, Never Back Down unveiled its first TV ad, a retort to some of Trump’s recent attacks. It questioned why the former president’s ire was directed at fellow Republicans while also attempting to dispel Trump’s claim that DeSantis wants to cut Social Security and Medicare. The ad further flipped the script on the former president, showing footage of Trump saying entitlements would eventually be on the table.