According to a source familiar with the matter, the chairman of the main political action committee supporting the presidential campaign of Ron DeSantis has stepped down, dealing another blow to the Florida governor ahead of the first Republican nominating contests.
The resignation of Adam Laxalt from the Never Back Down super PAC was first reported by The New York Times. This follows the exit of the super PAC’s chief executive, Chris Jankowski, and comes as DeSantis struggles to hold onto his No. 2 standing in the Republican contest.
The significance of Laxalt’s resignation lies in the unusually prominent role Never Back Down has been playing in DeSantis’ campaign. Super PACs can receive donations of unlimited size but cannot coordinate directly with campaigns.
Laxalt’s resignation prompted no immediate response from either Laxalt or DeSantis’ campaign.
Reportedly, Laxalt wrote in a letter to Never Back Down’s board that he needed more time to dedicate to his family and law practice. However, a source with knowledge of Laxalt’s thinking said he was concerned about what he saw as excessive spending at the group.
Surpassing DeSantis in some pivotal states are Nikki Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the UN and former South Carolina governor. Both DeSantis and Haley are more than 40 points behind former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner in most national polls.
The Iowa Republican caucuses on Jan. 15 will kick off the presidential nominating contests.
(Reporting by Gram Slattery and Alexandra Ulmer; editing by Ross Colvin and Leslie Adler)
