During his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump famously promised Americans an abundance of winning if he were elected.
However, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, currently seeking the Republican nomination, appears to be struggling to live up to that standard.
The most recent polling averages from RealClearPolitics reveal that DeSantis is trailing Trump by a significant 45-point margin.
Leading former United Nations Ambassador and North Carolina Governor Nikki Haley by 5.5 points doesn’t provide much consolation.
Recent reports have compounded DeSantis’s challenges, as a key aide departs.
On October 10, Erin Perrine, the communications director for the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, made an announcement via New York Times White House correspondent Maggie Haberman’s Twitter account.
She revealed that Steve Cortes, the spokesperson for the super PAC, was leaving to launch a new show. Perrine also mentioned that he would continue supporting DeSantis’s presidential aspirations “in his personal capacity,” without offering further details about Cortes’s new endeavor.
Cortes later confirmed his departure, stating, “I’ve moved on from the presidential primary.” He outlined his future priorities, which include helping Republicans regain the White House and Senate in 2024, bolstering the conservative majority in the House, reaching out to America’s Hispanic community, expanding his new online program, and supporting the League of American Workers, a group he founded to shape public opinion about workers and counter the Democratic Party’s labor agenda.
Cortes’s departure adds to a series of setbacks for DeSantis. Although he appeared to be a strong contender for the Republican nomination late last year, his polling average has been on a downward trajectory since April, plummeting from its peak of 31.3 points to Trump’s 44.3 in late January.
In addition to his polling struggles, DeSantis is facing funding challenges. While his campaign has more than $13.5 million on hand, only about a third of this is eligible for use in the Republican primary elections.
Trump took the opportunity to taunt “Ron DeSanctimonious” on his Truth Social platform on October 10.
“Ron DeSanctimonious has the Poll numbers of a wounded bird falling from the sky. I am up on him by 57 points, and going higher. He has proven to be a terrible and inept candidate who even fought Social Security and MediCare.” Trump lamented.
“He will SOON be out of money and dropping out of the race for President. After having single handidly gotten him elected Governor, with no thanks or glory, it has been a beautiful thing to watch. Good luck Ron!” he added.
