Kristin Davison is out as interim CEO of the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down less than two weeks after starting the job.
Davison’s replacement, Scott Wagner, will become the PAC’s third CEO in two weeks. Wagner, who was a member of the PAC’s board, will also serve as its chairman.
Davison ascended to the post on November 22 after CEO Chris Jankowski resigned, saying it had “become untenable for me to deliver on the shared goal and that goes well beyond a difference of strategic opinion.”
Former Nevada attorney general Adam Laxalt also stepped down from his role as the group’s chair on Friday, saying after “nearly 26 straight months of being in a full-scale campaign” he needed to return his attention to his family and law practice.
Multiple reports indicate Never Back Down communications director Erin Perrine is no longer working at the PAC either.
Confirming Davison’s departure + some more news:
Erin Perrine, Never Back Down’s communications director, recently parted ways with the group too, per person familiar. (No response from NBD on Perrine, but her Twitter bio also changed to remove PAC reference) ⬇️ https://t.co/3zgCgsjRFl pic.twitter.com/m3MEf6VDpR
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) December 3, 2023
Never Back Down spokeswoman Jess Szymanski downplayed the exits in a statement, saying the group “has the most organized, advanced caucus operation of anyone in the 2024 primary field.”
“We look forward to continuing that great work to help elect Gov. DeSantis the next President of the United States,” Szymanski added.
Meanwhile, DeSantis completed his tour of Iowa’s 99 counties this weekend. The campaign is pumping significant resources and attention toward the state, less than two months out from the Iowa caucuses.
Asked on NBC’s Meet the Press whether he would drop of the race if he does not finish in first or second place, DeSantis only insisted that he will win the caucus.
“We’re doing everything that we need to do it. We’ll continue to build support,” he said.
He suggested the field will “look different” when the Iowa caucuses are held.