Piecing it together: DeSantis campaign manager criticized for puzzle

Staffers say Scott Wagner got distracted by a giant puzzle ahead of the Republican presidential primary in Iowa. Photo: Matt Dixon/Matt Dixon

A key figure behind Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign has been criticized for putting together a 1,000-piece puzzle at a key moment in the Florida governor's campaign.

Scott Wagner, committee chairman political action “Never Give Up” was criticized by the group's staff after Mr. DeSantis finished second in Iowa.

They shared with NBC News a photo of Mr. Wagner working on a puzzle at the group's headquarters in West Des Moines, just days before the caucuses.

“Staff are showing their dedication and commitment to electing Gov. DeSantis , and they come, and the CEO, the chairman of the organization sits for hours and works on the puzzle,” said one of the group members.

Mr. Wagner told the TV station that the puzzle was “there when we arrived.” and “became a point of pride for the whole team, and everyone spent a few minutes solving it.”

“We worked together non-stop in terrible weather conditions,” he added. “I'm so proud of what we've accomplished in Iowa and will continue to achieve.”

The multimillion-dollar Operation Never Back Down has put most of its capital on strong results in the first state to vote. nomination contest from the Republican Party.

Ron DeSantis finished second behind Donald Trump on the Iowa ballot. Photo: Randall Hill/REUTERS

Mr DeSantis was so confident of victory he declared just last month: “We're going to win Iowa.” But he trails Donald Trump, who won 51 percent of the vote, by 30 points.

This is just the latest criticism of Never Back Down, which entered the 2024 race with more than $80 million and huge spending to recruit staffers who will knock on hundreds of thousands of doors and call potential voters in Iowa.

The New York Times suggested that the effort “may go down as one of the most colossal bonfires of cash in history.” . American Political History.”

Mr. DeSantis' political campaign team is now laying off staff as it moves operations out of Iowa.

During the second half of last year, several prominent Republican donors brought in or suspended his contributions to the governor's coffers as his poll ratings stabilize.