Former top Trump administration official Ken Cuccinelli has launched a super-PAC called “Never Back Down” to urge Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to run for president in 2024.[0] Cuccinelli, a former Virginia attorney general and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official under the Trump administration, is one of the most high-profile defections by a former Trump stalwart in the early stages of the campaign season.[1]
Cuccinelli’s decision to back DeSantis over Trump in the Republican primary is part of the jockeying for support as potential and declared candidates line up for the nomination.[2] “I have been speaking to many grassroots conservative activists around the country who are very enthusiastic for Governor DeSantis to run for President in 2024,” Cuccinelli said in a statement.[3] I am assured that an unparalleled grassroots political force will be created to help propel Governor DeSantis to the White House in 2024. This is based on the conversations I have had with grassroots conservatives who view the governor as a victorious leader and an uncompromising warrior with a proven conservative history. The energy is definitely present.[3]
DeSantis has yet to make an announcement on his 2024 presidential bid, but he is widely viewed as Trump’s main rival for the nomination.[4] He is not expected to announce a decision until the conclusion of the Florida legislative session in May.[5]
NEVER BACK DOWN PAC filed its paperwork with the Federal Election Commission at the end of February, making it the fourth political committee established to urge Governor DeSantis to run in the presidential election.[6] Several of the independent pro-DeSantis PACs are run by former Trump supporters and allies, including Ed Rollins, a former adviser to Great America PAC, and political strategist and former Trump supporter John Thomas announced “Ron to the Rescue” in November.[1]
On Thursday, Ken Cuccinelli, former acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the Trump administration, founded a super PAC.[5] According to three anonymous sources who spoke to the Washington Post, a political action committee is anticipated to act as an external expenditure source for DeSantis’s campaign.[7]
DeSantis will appear in Davenport, Iowa, on Friday, joined by Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA), who recently appeared at events for Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC).[7]
0. “Ron DeSantis Super PAC Launched by Ex-Trump Official Ken Cuccinelli” Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-09/former-trump-official-launches-pro-desantis-super-pac
1. “Ex-Trump Official Ken Cuccinelli Launches Pro-DeSantis PAC” Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/saradorn/2023/03/09/ex-trump-official-ken-cuccinelli-launches-pro-desantis-pac/
2. “Former Trump official Ken Cuccinelli launches PAC urging DeSantis to run” Yahoo News, 9 Mar. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/former-trump-official-ken-cuccinelli-152350644.html
3. “Former Trump official launches PAC urging DeSantis to run” Devdiscourse, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/2373670-former-trump-official-launches-pac-urging-desantis-to-run
4. “Trump’s Foe-Turned-Friend Flips on Him Once Again for DeSantis” Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-foe-friend-flips-desantis-1786730
5. “DeSantis indicates privately he intends to run in 2024 as allies prepare” The Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/03/09/ron-desantis-2024-president-iowa-nevada
6. “Former Trump official Ken Cuccinelli launches PAC urging DeSantis to run” The Hill, 9 Mar. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3891664-former-trump-official-ken-cuccinelli-launches-pac-urging-desantis-to-run/
7. “DeSantis privately indicates 2024 presidential bid: Report” Washington Examiner, 10 Mar. 2023, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/desantis-indicates-2024-presidential-run-privately-report
