A super PAC affiliated with Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R-FL) presidential campaign announced the launch of a South Carolina parents coalition, part of its nationwide movement to rally parents to support DeSantis's 2024 campaign.
Never Back Down announced the South Carolina Parents Never Back Down coalition on Wednesday, making the Palmetto State, one of the four early nominating states, the third launch behind Virginia and New Hampshire. The coalition will have six leaders and 100 members throughout the state.
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“DeSantis demonstrated to the country that strong leadership is the key to navigating chaos. Governor DeSantis led from the front and guided his state not only in the pandemic but also when parents were being called into question on what was best for their children and families," said Jennifer Black, the Greenville chairwoman of the South Carolina coalition. "He re-affirmed that parents lead their children in all circumstances in a child's life, including their education and in their health. I want a leader that will walk alongside parents and never back down from what is right for our country, our rights and our families and Governor DeSantis has demonstrated that leadership."
In addition to Black, Duffy Lewis is the Charleston leader, Brenda Stewart is the Clinton chairwoman, Lauren Green is the Fort Mill chairwoman, Kellie Bates is the North Charleston chairwoman, and Britney Mahoney is the Summerville chairwoman.
Never Back Down launched the Parents Never Back Down coalition last month with Virginia, including 10 chairpeople and 100 members, as its first chapter. DeSantis, before and during his presidential campaign, has sought to cast himself as the parental rights candidate seeking the White House.
The parental rights movement has spread rapidly across the nation in recent years due to rising anger over how race, gender, and sexuality are taught in public schools. The parents of this movement will be a key constituent DeSantis will need to win over in order to secure the Republican presidential nomination.
On the campaign trail, DeSantis frequently touts legislation that he's signed into law giving parents more influence in public schools. Chief among his efforts include DeSantis signing the Parental Rights in Education bill, which originally banned classroom instructions on gender and sexual orientation through third grade, into law.
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Florida first lady Casey DeSantis launched her Mamas for DeSantis initiative in Johnston, Iowa, in July with Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), which aims to mobilize mothers and grandmothers in backing the governor's campaign. It also aims to bring disaffected suburban women voters back into the Republican fold after multiple elections in which they broke for the Democratic Party.
The South Carolina coalition announcement comes on the same day that Never Back Down released a new ad, "Stone Cold Dead," which lauds DeSantis's plan to secure the southern border and will air in Iowa and New Hampshire this week.