In response to financial challenges, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is enacting extensive changes to his presidential campaign. The campaign recently confirmed it is cutting over a third of its staff, a total of 38 positions across multiple departments.
This includes the already announced 10 event planning roles and the recent departures of senior advisors, Dave Abrams and Tucker Obenshain.
Politico reported that recent federal filings indicated that the Florida governor’s campaign had over 90 staff members on its payroll in the month of June.
“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,” DeSantis campaign manager Generra Peck stated. “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.”
Recent concerns over campaign finances have been identified as the driving force behind the Florida governor’s campaign staffing cuts. Despite a significant fundraising effort in the second quarter, reporting $20 million in donations, a considerable portion has already been spent, which has triggered a campaign restructuring.
READ MORE: Gov. DeSantis involved in car crash
As part of this restructuring, the campaign announced the appointment of Carl Sceusa as the chief financial officer. Sceusa, who also serves as the chief technology officer, is expected to bring a greater degree of financial oversight to the operation.
Several other strategic staff changes are underway, including the promotion of Ethan Eilon to deputy campaign manager and the enlistment of Cody Hall, a top political advisor to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, as senior communications advisor.
Another part of the campaign’s restructuring has been revealed by campaign advisors who have suggested plans for smaller events and cost reductions in travel expenditures. According to Politico the shift in the DeSantis campaign’s strategy is part of the campaign’s plan to position DeSantis as an rising underdog in the Republican primary.
While the campaign downsizes, key advisors such as Abrams and Obenshain, are expected to continue their support in an external pro-DeSantis group, according to Politico
