TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a bid to revitalize his campaign and address concerns about his direction, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made a significant reshuffling of his campaign team, replacing campaign manager Generra Peck. This marks the third major shake-up within DeSantis’ campaign operations. The move has been confirmed by both a campaign spokesperson and a source familiar with the situation.
Peck, who previously held the position of campaign manager, will now assume the role of chief strategist under the new arrangement. The reins of the campaign have been handed over to James Uthmeier, who has previously served as the chief of staff in DeSantis’ governor’s office. The change is expected to take effect promptly, according to a text message from Uthmeier.
This shift comes mere weeks after assurances from the DeSantis campaign and close advisers that Peck’s position was secure. Despite these reassurances, the campaign underwent a reduction of staff by a third due to budget constraints and concerns regarding the campaign’s trajectory. The campaign had outlined plans to scale back operations, engage in an insurgent strategy, and increase mainstream media outreach. However, these efforts have yet to yield noticeable improvements in polling numbers.
An unnamed source close to the campaign indicated that Peck’s removal, initially reported by The Messenger, was not unexpected and should have occurred sooner. DeSantis’ campaign spokesperson, Andrew Romeo, confirmed the staff changes in a statement, highlighting Uthmeier’s longstanding advisory role to DeSantis and his vital contribution to positioning the governor for success in the primaries and against Joe Biden.
Romeo also revealed that David Polyansky, previously associated with the Never Back Down super PAC supporting DeSantis, will also transition to the campaign. Uthmeier, who has been DeSantis’ chief of staff since October 2021, has played a significant role in the governor’s key initiatives, including a controversial program to transport migrants.
Uthmeier’s temporary leave of absence from his administration position will see him working with the campaign without permanently resigning from his chief of staff role. The move reflects DeSantis’ practice of drawing on individuals from his governor’s office to support his presidential aspirations. This was previously witnessed when Stephanie Kopelousos, the governor’s legislative affairs director, and Taryn Fenske, the communications director, transitioned to the DeSantis campaign and Never Back Down super PAC, respectively.
Peck, who tried to reassure supporters during a retreat, acknowledged overspending and signaled a shift towards a leaner strategy. DeSantis’ recent approach has involved smaller campaign events, often in collaboration with Never Back Down, and interviews with mainstream media outlets. DeSantis has remained committed to his early state strategy despite lagging poll numbers, asserting his determination to compete in key states such as Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
While addressing his campaign’s challenges, DeSantis emphasized that he prefers being “underestimated,” showcasing his resolve to continue pushing forward despite obstacles.
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