Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) presidential campaign is cutting more than a third of its staff members. The candidate is hoping to restructure his campaign in an attempt to catch up to frontrunner Donald Trump.
DeSantis campaign advisers have confirmed that 38 jobs will be shed. The cuts signal the campaign team’s efforts to slim down its expenditures, as it has spent a decent amount of its money and is having trouble replenishing.
“Following a top-to-bottom review of our organization, we have taken additional, aggressive steps to streamline operations and put Ron DeSantis in the strongest position to win this primary and defeat Joe Biden,” said DeSantis campaign manager Generra Peck in a statement. “Gov. DeSantis is going to lead the Great American Comeback and we’re ready to hit the ground running as we head into an important month of the campaign.”
Aside from job cuts, DeSantis is also planning to reduce campaign costs by holding smaller fundraising events and decreasing travel expenditures.
DeSantis’ campaign did not take off as the Florida governor had hoped. Certain promotional materials, such as a homophobic advertisement released last month, deterred voters and donors from supporting his bid.
Many are also skeptical of DeSantis’ far-right positions on national issues such as abortion restrictions, LGBTQ rights and gun control. Both Democrats and Republicans fear that his leadership tactics as president will be reminiscent of Trump’s.
