Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida embarked on an ambitious and costly strategy to secure the presidential nomination, diverging from the conventional playbook. However, seven months into an extensive ground game executed by his super PAC, Never Back Down, the desired momentum remains elusive. Despite spending tens of millions and deploying an army of canvassers, DeSantis faces challenges as poll numbers stagnate, the super PAC unravels, and Donald Trump’s influence on Republican primary voters remains steadfast.
DeSantis’s battle plan included an expensive organizing operation with an extensive voter outreach initiative. Never Back Down aimed to connect with every potential DeSantis voter multiple times in early-nominating states, employing a vast team of trained, paid door-knockers. The ground game, one of the costliest in modern political history, has yet to yield the anticipated results.
Never Back Down has invested over $30 million in door-knocking and canvassing efforts across Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. The organization boasts over 100 full-time paid canvassers and 37,000 volunteers, primarily focused on a crucial push in Iowa. The extensive door-knocking campaign, exceeding 801,000 attempts in Iowa alone, underscores the super PAC’s dedication to making an impact.
Despite the substantial investment and organizational efforts, DeSantis’s poll numbers have seen minimal improvement. Critics argue that the campaign’s reliance on a super PAC and hired canvassers, rather than volunteers, has led to a lack of authenticity in its outreach. Some voters report indifferent or rude interactions with door knockers, while others find the entire effort inauthentic, with some canvassers openly identifying as Trump supporters.
Interviews with voters, local officials, and political strategists reveal skepticism regarding the effectiveness of DeSantis’s ground game. Some voters remain unconvinced, finding the outreach indifferent or inauthentic. Door knockers from Never Back Down have faced challenges in swaying voters, with reports of lackadaisical efforts, repeated knocking yielding no results, and instances of poor attitudes.
Competing campaigns and political organizations, such as Americans for Prosperity Action, aim to capitalize on perceived shortcomings in DeSantis’s ground game. The Trump campaign, while not replicating a similar ground game, maintains a robust presence in Iowa, focusing on mobilizing caucus captains. The enduring challenge for DeSantis lies in overcoming the formidable influence Donald Trump holds over Republican primary voters.
Governor Ron DeSantis’s unconventional approach to securing the presidential nomination faces mounting challenges as his ambitious ground game struggles to gain traction. The effectiveness of Never Back Down’s extensive door-knocking campaign remains uncertain, with skepticism from voters and the looming shadow of Donald Trump’s influence in the Republican primary. As the Iowa caucuses approach, the success or failure of DeSantis’s unprecedented strategy will shape the trajectory of his presidential aspirations.
