Ron DeSantis has moved a large portion of his campaign staff from Florida to the Hawkeye State as the governor doubles down on his efforts to beat former President Donald Trump in the Iowa caucuses, a report said.
Approximately one-third of DeSantis’ staff was told to relocate to Iowa Wednesday after The Post reported the presidential candidate was turning his attention to the first-in-the-nation state in the wake of the second GOP debate.
The campaign staff will live in temporary housing as the Florida governor prepares for the Jan. 15 caucuses, The New York Times first reported.
The relocation would make Des Moines a de-facto second HQ for the campaign, with nearly 24 staffers reportedly expected to work from the state.
DeSantis’ national spokesperson Carly Atchinson confirmed the staff relocation.
The development comes as DeSantis hopes to revamp his Iowa strategy. He plans to hit all 99 counties in the state, which places importance on handshakes and retail politics. A win in Iowa, the DeSantis campaign previously told The Post, would show voters the Republican primary is a “two-man” race of DeSantis vs Trump.
According to the numbers, DeSantis will have to drum up large numbers — over 30 points — to get in striking distance of the 77-year-old former president. Real Clear Politics’ average polling shows DeSantis coming in at a distant second at 16% in the state, behind Trump’s commanding 49.2%.
The DeSantis camp has had previous staff overhauls, with dozens of employees being fired in two mass exoduses over the summer amid dwindling cash flow.
The concerning financial situation was partially resolved thanks to a $15 million input from donors in the third quarter from “his campaign committee, leadership PAC, and joint fundraising committee,” a campaign press release read Wednesday.
“Anyone that knows Ron DeSantis knows that he is a fighter, a winner, and a leader,” said campaign manager James Uthmeier. “This significant fundraising haul not only provides us with the resources we need in the fight for Iowa and beyond, but it also shuts down the doubters who counted out Ron DeSantis for far too long.”
But, the campaign is still reportedly cash-strapped. Aides told The New York Times the campaign only had $5 million left for the primaries.
The pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down is also setting its sights on Iowa, with an official telling The Post, “This entire race will start to be viewed through that Iowa lens.”