DeSantis PAC official admits tough 2024 race: ‘Trump leads the pack’

A Top Official for Gov. Ron DeSantis’s PAC: Trump is the Runaway Front-Runner

A top official for Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) PAC recently acknowledged that the Florida governor faces an “uphill battle” in the 2024 GOP presidential race. Steve Cortes, a former campaign adviser to ex-President Donald Trump, made these comments during a Twitter Spaces session on Sunday night, as reported by Politico.

“Right now in national polling, we are way behind, I’ll be the first to admit that,” said Cortes. “I believe in being blunt and honest. It’s an uphill battle, but clearly Donald Trump is the runaway front-runner.”

Cortes further explained that DeSantis is not faring well in the key nominating states, particularly in the first four states that hold significant importance: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina. In these states, DeSantis is trailing Trump by a considerable margin.

“In the first four states which matter tremendously, polls are a lot tighter, we are still clearly down. We’re down double digits; we have work to do,” Cortes added.

Despite the current challenges, Cortes believes that DeSantis can better compete with Trump once voters understand the governor’s perspective and goals for a potential presidency. However, he expressed concern that healthy competition between the two GOP candidates could ultimately benefit Trump in the general election.

“If we do not prevail — and I have every intent on winning, I didn’t sign up for this to come in second — but if we do not prevail, I will tell you this, we will make President Trump better for having this kind of primary,” he said.

It is worth noting that Cortes, despite his previous work for Trump, endorsed DeSantis in May, stating that he is the “best possible option to win the presidency in 2024.”

When asked for comment, Bryan Griffin, press secretary for DeSantis’s presidential campaign, expressed full confidence in the governor’s bid for the 2024 presidency against Trump. Griffin emphasized that DeSantis has consistently been underestimated in previous races and believes this time will be no different.

“Governor Ron DeSantis over-delivered on his promises as governor and has the national vision we need to restore our country, clean out DC, and lead our Great American Comeback. This campaign is a marathon, not a sprint; we will be victorious,” Griffin told the Washington Examiner.

As of now, DeSantis’s Never Back Down PAC has not responded to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.