In a private meeting with donors, Jeff Roe, the top strategist for Ron DeSantis’ super PAC, Never Back Down, openly discussed the super PAC’s efforts to target Vivek Ramaswamy, a rival Republican presidential candidate. Roe claimed that all negative information about Ramaswamy was a result of their opposition research.
During this meeting, which took place just before the first GOP primary debate, Roe acknowledged that if Ramaswamy had a strong performance in the debate, it could pose a problem for DeSantis. He noted that this situation would not be favorable for them in the short term.
Roe’s comments, captured in an audio recording, are unusual, as it’s rare for a top strategist to publicly admit their role in peddling opposition research. Never Back Down has played a significant role in supporting DeSantis’ bid for the presidential nomination.
Ramaswamy’s campaign responded to Roe’s remarks, suggesting that they indicate the candidate’s growing momentum. They pointed out that when DeSantis’ super PAC, along with other prominent figures and media outlets, target a candidate simultaneously, it often means the candidate is a serious contender. Ramaswamy’s strong performance in the debate further solidified his position.
Recent polls have shown Ramaswamy gaining ground in the Republican primary, putting him in contention with DeSantis and former President Donald Trump. While Roe argued that increased scrutiny from the national press would be challenging for Ramaswamy, it’s evident that DeSantis’ team is anxious about his rising popularity.
Prior to the debate, Roe’s consulting firm, Axiom, published a dossier suggesting ways to tarnish Ramaswamy’s image, primarily by labeling him as inauthentic. Roe revealed that Never Back Down was responsible for several negative stories about Ramaswamy, including questions about his stance on key issues, foreign policy views, and readiness to be president. Ramaswamy has also faced inquiries about his past criticism of Trump, whom he now praises as the “best president of the 21st century.”
Despite DeSantis trailing Trump significantly in national and early primary state polls, Roe remained optimistic about the campaign’s prospects. He compared the campaign to a college football season and believed that DeSantis would have a breakthrough moment soon, emphasizing that DeSantis needed to demonstrate that he could “take a punch.”
Never Back Down has invested considerable resources to bolster DeSantis’ position in the race, with $15 million spent before DeSantis officially announced his presidential bid in late May. The campaign has been focused on electability, positioning DeSantis as the candidate best suited to defeat President Joe Biden in 2024.
Roe also underscored the importance of winning key states like Iowa and New Hampshire in the upcoming primaries, expressing confidence that DeSantis would outperform Trump in these contests.
As the race continues, these revelations shed light on the strategies and concerns within the DeSantis campaign and its super PAC as they navigate a competitive Republican primary field.
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