MILWAUKEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) avoided attacks during most of Wednesday night's debate, and his backers hope his performance will lead to a solidified position in the polls.

DeSantis pointed to his record as a two-term governor of Florida and drew praise for his condemnation of COVID-19 lockdown policies. Ken Cuccinelli, head of the pro-DeSantis Never Back Down PAC, said it was his introduction to many voters.

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"He doesn't take outside advice, as we know," Cuccinelli said, referring tongue-in-cheek to a debate memo that made headlines last week. "But I think that he's still a thoughtful person. He's making his own decisions. If he stays in the race with conviction, how does that change the dynamic? I think that dynamic is going to have to come through voters."

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Cuccinelli referred to DeSantis's polling struggles as a "minor slide" whereas "tonight was the start of the campaign."

"This is when millions of people, for the first time, will see Ron DeSantis and other candidates in person without the filter," he said. "He looked very presidential tonight."