ATLANTA, Ga. – Never Back Down, a prominent political advocacy group, is set to host special guest Gov. Ron DeSantis on a bus tour across South Central Iowa this week.
This tour marks the beginning of several planned stops in IA, NH, SC, and other states in the following weeks.
The Des Moines Register reports that “Never Back Down” is taking on some event planning responsibilities from Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign, organizing the bus tour that will take him through Chariton, Osceola, and Oskaloosa ahead of the Iowa GOP Lincoln Dinner on Friday.
Desantis Bus Tour Details:
Accompanied by the “Never Back Down” branded bus, Gov. DeSantis will participate in meet and greets and a town hall on Thursday and Friday during the tour.
WHO: Special Guest Governor Ron DeSantis
WHAT: Never Back Down Chariton Meet & Greet
WHEN: Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: The Iron Horse Charitone, 831 Braden Ave., Chariton, IA 50049
WHO: Special Guest Governor Ron DeSantis
WHAT: Never Back Down Osceola Town Hall
WHEN: Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. CT
WHERE: Revelton Distilling Company, 1400 W Clay Street, Osceola, IA 50213
WHO: Special Guest Governor Ron DeSantis
WHAT: Never Back Down Oskaloosa Meet & Greet
WHEN: Friday, July 28, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: Smokey Row Coffee, 109 S Market Street, Oskaloosa, IA 52577
An important aspect of this bus tour appears to be an acknowledgment that Gov. DeSantis will need to spend more time on the ground to gain momentum in Iowa.
Top officials on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign recently addressed donors at the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah, admitting that they had overspent and pledged to make further changes to recover from a disappointing start. DeSantis’ campaign manager, Generra Peck, mentioned that money had been allocated to operations that proved to be ineffective. As a result, the campaign intends to adopt a leaner, “insurgent” posture moving forward.
The urgency for a campaign reset comes after the latest financial disclosures revealed that DeSantis’ campaign is rapidly depleting its funds while struggling to narrow the polling gap with the current front-runner, Donald Trump.
Governor DeSantis’ well-funded super PAC has raised over $100 million, and the campaign previously indicated its plan to strengthen its presence in Iowa by establishing five campaign offices by the end of July. Additionally, the campaign aims to host more of its own events, allowing DeSantis to connect directly with Iowa voters.
In a statement, Never Back Down spokesperson Jess Szymanski emphasized their laser-focused strategy to amplify the governor’s message. This approach involves door-knocking, collecting caucus commitments, and hosting events for Gov. DeSantis to participate in, with continued growth in these efforts in the coming months.
According to Iowa Republican operatives and activists interviewed by the Register, there is no immediate panic about the state of DeSantis’ campaign. However, they urge the governor to invest more time in Iowa, emphasizing the significance of smaller events in connecting with voters.
The bus tour and “Never Back Down’s” active involvement in planning events offer Governor Ron DeSantis an opportunity to gain momentum and engage directly with Iowa voters. With the Iowa caucuses playing a critical role in the primary race, DeSantis’ performance in the state could significantly impact his chances of closing the polling gap with the current frontrunner, Donald Trump.
As the 2024 presidential campaign progresses, the implications of “Never Back Down’s” role in amplifying Gov. DeSantis’ message and the campaign’s strategy to recalibrate its spending and approach will be closely monitored. Iowa’s importance in shaping the primary race underscores the necessity for DeSantis to dedicate more time to connect with voters during smaller events and continue engaging with key demographics in the state.