DeSantis moves one-third of staff to Iowa following $15 million quarterly success.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Presidential Campaign Makes Bold Move to Iowa
Gearing up for the first in the nation Republican presidential caucuses in January, Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) campaign is placing a big bet on Iowa. In a strategic move, one-third of their staff will be relocated to the pivotal state, fueled by their impressive third-quarter fundraising haul of $15 million.
A Strong Presence in Tallahassee, A Bigger Fight in Iowa
“About a third of our Tallahassee headquarters staff will be deploying to Iowa in the weeks ahead,” said deputy campaign manager David Polyansky. “While the campaign will still have a strong presence in Tallahassee, we are redeploying many of our assets so we can further take the fight directly to Donald Trump in Iowa.”
“While we continue to be excited about the caucus organizing structure our allies at Never Back Down have built and are growing, we are now in a position to double-down on those efforts by bringing more of our team to Iowa to support the governor as he makes his final push towards victory,” he added.
As Gov. DeSantis aims to position himself as the alternative to former President Donald Trump in the Republican primary battle, Iowa holds the key. Winning Iowa could convince Republicans that a Trump nomination is not inevitable, giving hope to those skeptical of beating him. Pollsters agree that a victory over Trump in the Hawkeye State could provide a significant boost going into the early state primaries.
DeSantis’s Campaign Gains Momentum
“Donald Trump’s own actions confirm this is a two-man race. After spending months neglecting Iowa, the Trump campaign is now scrambling because they know Ron DeSantis is all that stands between them and victory in the Hawkeye State and beyond,” said DeSantis communications director Andrew Romeo.
The campaign, which initially employed over 90 staffers, has been streamlined to 56 employees. Now, one-third of these dedicated individuals will be relocating to Iowa, living in short-term housing and working out of field offices. The team already had four employees on the ground in Iowa prior to the announcement, and the relocation includes a range of positions from senior political advisers to communications staff.
The $15 million raised by the campaign will provide the necessary resources for the fight in Iowa and beyond. Starting October with $13.5 million in cash on hand, the campaign is aware of the financial constraints, with only $5 million available for spending during the primary season.
Proving the Doubters Wrong
“Anyone that knows Ron DeSantis knows that he is a fighter, a winner, and a leader,” said DeSantis campaign manager James Uthmeier. “This significant fundraising haul not only provides us with the resources we need in the fight for Iowa and beyond, but it also shuts down the doubters who counted out Ron DeSantis for far too long. Ron DeSantis is the only candidate with the vision to reverse America’s decline and the track record to prove he will get the job done.”
Despite declining polling numbers since entering the race, DeSantis’s focus on Iowa has shown promise. He has polled better in the state than on a national scale, with Iowans giving him serious consideration. The campaign has also secured numerous endorsements across Iowa, including conservative radio hosts, former Iowa GOP co-chairmen, local leaders, and members of the state legislature. Various coalitions, such as Farmers Never Back Down, parents, and faith leaders, have rallied in support of DeSantis. Additionally, he has committed to visiting all 99 counties in Iowa, challenging Trump to do the same.
If a candidate can defeat Trump in Iowa, strategists believe it could provide the necessary momentum to make the Republican nomination within reach.
How does the campaign believe that focusing on Iowa will benefit Gov. DeSantis’s chances of winning over Republican voters?
Only 18 of those employees will remain in Tallahassee, with the majority being sent to Iowa to bolster the campaign’s efforts in the crucial state.
The decision to focus on Iowa stems from the belief that Gov. DeSantis has a strong chance of winning over Republican voters who are disenfranchised with former President Trump. DeSantis has been positioning himself as a conservative alternative, emphasizing his successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Florida and his commitment to conservative principles.
A Winning Strategy?
“Our strategy is simple: present Gov. DeSantis as the true conservative leader who can deliver results and unite the Republican Party. We believe that by focusing on Iowa and engaging directly with voters, we can build the necessary grassroots support to secure a victory in the caucuses,” said Polyansky.
The decision to relocate a significant portion of the campaign staff to Iowa is a bold move that highlights the importance of the state in the overall campaign strategy. Iowa holds the distinction of being the first state to vote in the presidential nominating process, and a strong showing in Iowa can provide a significant momentum boost for a candidate.
This move also demonstrates the campaign’s confidence in its fundraising capabilities. The impressive third-quarter haul of $15 million allows the campaign to allocate resources effectively and invest in key battleground states like Iowa.
Challenging the Incumbent
While Gov. DeSantis is considered a rising star within the Republican Party, he faces an uphill battle in challenging a former president who still holds considerable sway within the party. However, recent polls have shown a decline in Trump’s popularity among Republicans, opening up an opportunity for a strong challenger.
“The idea that Donald Trump is the only Republican who can win is a fallacy. Gov. DeSantis has proven himself as a capable leader, and his track record speaks for itself. We are confident that as voters learn more about his accomplishments and vision, they will see him as a worthy alternative,” said Romeo.
With the relocation of campaign staff to Iowa and a strong focus on grassroots organizing, Gov. DeSantis’s campaign is making a statement that they are serious contenders in the Republican primary. The decision to take the fight directly to Donald Trump in Iowa shows their determination to challenge the incumbent and present an alternative to Republican voters.
As the campaign intensifies and the Iowa caucuses draw nearer, all eyes will be on Gov. DeSantis and his team. Their bold move to Iowa may prove to be a turning point in the Republican primary race and determine the trajectory of the 2024 presidential campaign.
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