Exclusive: In a confidential strategy memo obtained by NBCNews, Gov. DeSantis’ campaign says it will stay focused on the early states and not yet make investments in Super Tuesday battlegrounds.
“Early state voters are only softly committed to the candidates they select on a ballot question this far out -- including many Trump supporters,” the memo said. “Our focus group participants in the early states even say they do not plan on making up their mind until they meet the candidates or watch them debate.”
While the campaign is focused on the early states, Never Back Down is preparing to insert 80 freshly trained field operatives into California, according to Kristin Davison, the group’s chief operating officer. That’s in addition to political aides already hired in the first four states on the calendar — Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada — and 17 states that hold March primaries, according to the group.
The person said the shift needs to happen because it’s clear to activists and donors that the current operation is not working. DeSantis needs to signal to them that he recognizes this fact — before any future poll shows him falling from second place nationally or in an early state, the person said. The document also outlines the message DeSantis’ team plans to deliver to voters through both paid and earned media in the coming months. The campaign suggests it has found the most success when presenting him as a dad and a veteran to voters, and it’s planning an effort to amplify his biography.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DeSantis says he won't be Trump's 2024 running mateGov. RonDeSantis won't join Donald Trump's 2024 ticket if he were to lose his own presidential campaign, DeSantis said on Tuesday. 'I don’t think I’m a No. 2 guy. I think I’m a leader, governor of Florida. I’ve accomplished a lot,' DeSantis said.
Read more »
DeSantis, more GOP candidates push back on Trump's 'dictatorial' criticism of Iowa's governorSeveral GOP presidential candidates have come out in support of Iowa Gov. Reynolds after former Pres. Trump attacked her on social media for not endorsing him.
Read more »
DeSantis’ Striking, Risky Strategy: Not Trying to Trick Small DonorsIn the months before the 2020 presidential election, Roy W. Bailey, a Dallas businessperson, received a stream of text messages from Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, asking for money in persistent, almost desperate terms. “Have you forgotten me?” the messages read, Bailey recalled. “Have you deserted us?” Bailey was familiar with the Trump campaign: He was the co-chair of its finance committee, helped raise millions for the effort and personally contributed several thousand dollars. Sign up f
Read more »
From Ron DeSantis to Prada’s Runway, Fisherman Gear Catches OnThe Florida governor may be going for folksy relatability, but his nylon shirts follow fashion-consumer demand for pocketed vests, $1,000 waders and fancy bucket hats.
Read more »
Murdochs Start to Sour on DeSantis: 'They Can Smell a Loser'EXCLUSIVE: The Murdochs, the kingmakers of conservative media, are starting to lose confidence in Ron DeSantis, unimpressed by his campaign and its weak numbers, sources tell Rolling Stone.
Read more »
Billy Baldwin calls Florida the 'Bud Light of tourism'Actor Billy Baldwin taunted Florida over Gov. Ron DeSantis' recent feud with Disney and LGBTQ+ communities.
Read more »