Ron DeSantis has shaken up his campaign team as he tries to overtake Donald Trump in the Republican race for the White House. Photo: Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images
Ron DeSantis replaced his campaign manager with a «ruthless enforcer» in hopes of revitalizing his White House bid ahead of a critical debate.
Generra Peck was removed from office by Florida Governor. his third major reshuffle in a month as he trailed even further behind Donald Trump in the polls.
She was replaced by James Utmyer, an ultra-loyal DeSantis aide who served as his chief of staff.
D -Ms. Peck will remain in the campaign, taking on the role of chief strategist.
< p>The personnel changes come as Mr. DeSantis is trying to restart his struggling presidential campaign, which has cut roughly a third of its staff due to lack of money.
Mr. Utmyer's first task will be to prepare Mr. DeSantis for the first Republican presidential debate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, August 23.
This will be a critical test for Mr. DeSantis, who must show a breakthrough if he is to regain momentum.
Trump remains the overwhelming favorite among Republicans. Credit: Reuters/Reba Saldanha
Trump is well ahead of the competition, with 53.3%, according to poll aggregator FiveThirtyEight. Mr. DeSantis is in second place with 15 percent.
The former president signaled he would miss the first Republican debate, putting Mr. DeSantis in the line of fire of other candidates in attendance.
Andrew Romeo, director of communications for the DeSantis campaign, said, «James Utmyer has been one of Governor DeSantis' top advisers for many years, and he is needed where it matters most.»
At 35 years old Mr. Utmayer has no previous campaign management experience. He is known as a conservative broker who communicates the governor's political priorities through the state legislature.
These included the high-profile political battles that created Mr. DeSantis' national brand, such as his falling out with Disney, as well as helping to enforce a six-week abortion ban.
He was also active in the culture wars Mr. DeSantis, including flying migrants from the Texas border to the affluent Democratic enclave of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.
Mr. DeSantis was heavily criticized by Trump supporters at a recent rally in Iowa. Photo: Joseph Kress/USA Today Network
CNN said Mr. Utmyer was known in Florida political circles as Mr. DeSantis' «ruthless enforcer» and a «devout defender.»
Scott Ross, the state's Republican lobbyist and fundraiser, told the network, that Mr. Utmyer was “the most powerful chief of staff and operative Florida has seen in 20 years.”
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Mr. Utmeier is known for his loyalty to Mr. DeSantis and is close to his wife Casey, reflecting the Governor's habit of surrounding himself with people he trusts in favor of people with more experience.
However, Mr. DeSantis is also hired David Polyansky, a key figure in the DeSantis supporter group Never Back Down, as deputy campaign manager.
He served as a senior adviser to Ted Cruz's 2016 presidential election and is an experienced operator in Iowa. , the critical first-voting state in the Republican primary.
«Got to change the momentum»
The change comes four days after the biggest individual donor backing Mr. DeSantis said he wouldn't give more money if the governor won't attract more donors and is taking a more moderate approach.
Dan Eberhart, who has previously raised concerns about campaign staffing, told The Telegraph, «Gov. DeSantis needs to change the momentum. That's clear.»
However, he framed the changes as «a rebuild rather than a reset.»
Mr Eberhart said Mr Utmayer knew the governor «closely» from the top his office in Tallahassee.
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