The Downfall of DeSantis: A Chronicle of Strategic Blunders and Financial Woes

Prologue: The Looming Storm

On a somber Sunday morning in 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis convened his closest advisers at the stately Governor’s Mansion in Tallahassee. The gathering’s purpose: to make a fateful decision that would determine the future of his presidential campaign.

For weeks, the campaign had been floundering, plagued by strategic missteps, financial constraints, and a relentless barrage of attacks from former President Donald Trump. As advisers filled the mansion’s opulent rooms, DeSantis and his wife, Casey, retreated upstairs for a hushed conversation, weighing the pros and cons of continuing their presidential bid.

The stakes were high, and the decision they were about to make would have far-reaching implications for DeSantis’ political career.

“Dead End”: The Decision to Withdraw

After careful deliberation, DeSantis and his wife reached a difficult conclusion: their campaign had reached a dead end, with no clear path forward. With a heavy heart, DeSantis penned down the words that would signal the end of his presidential aspirations.

The discussions at the Governor’s Mansion culminated a week of intense conversations between DeSantis and his advisers. The catalyst for this crisis meeting was DeSantis’ disappointing performance in the Iowa caucuses, where he placed a distant second to Trump. This setback served as a stark reminder of the challenges that lay ahead, prompting DeSantis to reassess his strategy.

Roy’s Counsel: Unity and Future Prospects

Among those who played a pivotal role in these discussions was Representative Chip Roy, a prominent Republican from Texas and one of DeSantis’ most ardent supporters. Roy traveled to Tallahassee to offer his counsel, helping DeSantis navigate the difficult decision of whether to withdraw from the race before the New Hampshire primary and whether to endorse Trump.

Roy firmly believed that DeSantis made the right choice in ending his campaign and throwing his support behind Trump. He emphasized the importance of unity within the Republican Party and expressed confidence that DeSantis would continue to be a force to be reckoned with in American politics.

Financial Woes: Running Out of Steam

DeSantis had initially harbored hopes of sustaining his primary fight against Trump and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley beyond the New Hampshire primary and into South Carolina, a state where his advisers believed he had a better chance of gaining traction. However, the financial realities of the campaign proved to be insurmountable.

Fundraising efforts had faltered, and DeSantis’ campaign and its allied super PACs struggled to replenish the tens of millions of dollars that had been poured into the Iowa campaign. This financial crisis forced DeSantis to confront the harsh reality that his campaign was running out of steam.

Seeking Answers: Understanding the Iowa Debacle

DeSantis was determined to understand the reasons behind his poor performance in Iowa. He peppered his advisers with questions, seeking insights into what had gone wrong and what his prospects were in the upcoming states on the primary calendar.

In an attempt to salvage his campaign, DeSantis embarked on a whirlwind tour of the East Coast, crisscrossing South Carolina, New Hampshire, and Florida. However, these last-ditch efforts failed to yield any significant improvement in his fortunes. Apparent shifts in focus, such as prioritizing South Carolina at the expense of New Hampshire, were met with confusion and uncertainty.

The Final Hours: Making the Call

Polls consistently showed DeSantis trailing far behind both Trump and Haley in New Hampshire, with South Carolina offering little solace. By Thursday, it became clear that the campaign was facing an insurmountable information gap. DeSantis needed to make a decision, and he needed to make it fast.

One final trip to New Hampshire and South Carolina provided DeSantis with a firsthand look at the electorate. After his last event in South Carolina on Saturday, he returned to Tallahassee, where he would make his final call.

In the hours leading up to the announcement of his decision, DeSantis canceled planned appearances on Sunday television shows, a move that sent shockwaves through political circles. Allies and adversaries alike concluded that the end was near.

“Everyone Wanted to Stay In”: Financial Challenges

A DeSantis adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the financial challenges that had plagued the campaign. “Everyone wanted to stay in until South Carolina, but raising money became so hard, and it was not going to get easier,” the adviser said.

The decision to suspend the campaign was kept within a tight circle of advisers. Some, like campaign surrogate and donor Dan Eberhart, were caught off guard by the news. Eberhart was en route to New Hampshire when he learned that the campaign had been abruptly terminated.

No negotiations or discussions took place between DeSantis’ team and Trump’s team, according to a senior Trump adviser. The decision to endorse Trump was made unilaterally by DeSantis and his inner circle.

Allies’ Reactions: Surprise, Acceptance, and Future Prospects

While DeSantis’ departure from the race did not come as a complete surprise to his allies, the timing of his announcement caught many off guard. Eberhart, for one, expressed his belief that DeSantis would have been the best president but lacked the necessary skills to be a successful candidate.

DeSantis’ presidential aspirations had faced numerous obstacles from the outset. He had been subjected to relentless attacks from Trump, who mocked him as “Ron DeSanctimonious” and criticized his policies on social distancing, masking, and vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These attacks, coupled with DeSantis’ own strategic and tactical blunders, contributed to his declining poll numbers. DeSantis’ campaign overspent in the summer and had to cut its staffing. He outsourced much of the work to a super PAC called Never Back Down, to which he had transferred more than $80 million in leftover state-level campaign funds.

The inability to coordinate legally between the campaign and the super PAC led to clashes and inefficiencies. The cash-tight campaign ultimately replaced its original chief, Generra Peck, with James Uthmeier.

In the weeks leading up to the Iowa caucuses, DeSantis and his team began to lower their expectations. Initially aiming for a victory in Iowa, they later shifted their goal to a strong second-place finish and, ultimately, to simply avoiding an embarrassing third-place showing.

Despite outperforming late polling and securing second place in Iowa, DeSantis’ hopes of shaking off Haley and engaging in a one-on-one contest with Trump were dashed. Haley emerged as Trump’s sole serious rival, leaving DeSantis on the sidelines.

Blaise Ingoglia, a Florida state senator and close ally of DeSantis, expressed surprise at the timing of DeSantis’ departure but not the decision itself. He quickly posted a statement endorsing Trump and expressed confidence in DeSantis’ ability to continue fighting for Floridians and the greatness of the United States.

Many DeSantis allies believe that he will make a comeback in 2028, when the political landscape is expected to be more favorable. In the meantime, DeSantis is spending time with his family in Florida and has no plans to campaign with Trump.

Conclusion: Lessons Learned

The end of DeSantis’ presidential campaign serves as a cautionary tale about the challenges of political ambition, the importance of strategic planning, and the unpredictable nature of the American electorate.

Call to Action: What’s Next for DeSantis?

Will DeSantis make a comeback in 2028? What are his future political aspirations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.