This weekend witnessed a notable upheaval within the Never Back Down super PAC, the primary supporter of Governor DeSantis' campaign. Several high-ranking officials, including the recently appointed CEO, were ousted amid growing discontent among campaign personnel regarding the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of the PAC's expenditures.
In a preceding incident seemingly crafted for television drama, a scandal involving Florida GOP Chairman Christian Ziegler and Bridget Ziegler, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, loomed threateningly over the campaign. A woman, previously engaged in a threesome with both Zieglers, accused Christian Ziegler of sexual battery following an unplanned visit to her apartment in October. Ziegler vehemently refutes the charges outlined in a police affidavit, acquired by a local news organization for a search warrant.
The optics of this scandal proved particularly distressing for the culture war advocates, who have spearheaded initiatives to remove specific books from K-12 classrooms and played a pivotal role in shaping Florida's "Parents Bill of Rights" law. Both Zieglers had evolved into significant confidants for DeSantis over the past few years.
The overall condition of the DeSantis campaign is now perceived as unfavorable, according to Carol Weissert, a political science professor at Florida State University.
A critical issue stemming from the PAC's turmoil and the scandal, however, is the potential derailment of Governor DeSantis' fundamental campaign pledge – that he can govern effectively, devoid of the drama and chaos associated with Trump.
"He got caught because the people who didn't like Trump didn't like him, and the people who like Trump like Trump. It was a reasonable expectation, but as it turned out it didn't work," notes Weissert.
Once hailed as the golden boy of serious conservatism, DeSantis now stands at a pivotal juncture, with his campaign struggling to generate momentum and engage voters since its initiation in May. The upcoming fourth GOP primary debate, where DeSantis will share the stage with figures like Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Chris Christie, provides an opportunity for a course correction.
Despite DeSantis diligently completing his 99-county tour in Iowa, he still lags far behind Trump in the polls. As of December 4, Trump commands 45% support in Iowa, with DeSantis at 17% and Haley at 15%.
Even in the face of 91 criminal charges spanning four indictments, including attempts to undermine the 2020 presidential election, Trump's supporters remain unwavering. Conversely, Haley is enjoying a surge in popularity, securing a funding endorsement from the Koch network and surpassing DeSantis in an Iowa poll, claiming a 1 percentage point lead.
As political science professor Jacob Neiheisel observes, DeSantis aimed to be the mature candidate, steering clear of the baggage associated with Trump, but he has grappled with navigating that path. The current scenario, with DeSantis consistently trailing Trump, raises doubts about his viability unless there is a substantial shift in the party or an unforeseen turn of events.