• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy Donors frustrated at DeSantis’ inability to gain traction, take ‘hard look’ elsewhere for Trump alternative
Economy

Donors frustrated at DeSantis’ inability to gain traction, take ‘hard look’ elsewhere for Trump alternative

by November 3, 2023
by November 3, 2023 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Donors in GOP circles are growing increasingly concerned as no candidate has gained significant traction as the alternative to the front-runner, former President Trump, causing some to look at options other than Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

‘There’s a lot of concern, hand-wringing, and significant conversations among the donor class regarding their frustrations as it relates to Gov. DeSantis and his ability to gain traction,’ a veteran Republican strategist with close ties to the GOP donor class told Fox News Digital.

‘As a result, a lot of them are taking a hard look at Nikki Haley. They realize the field needs to consolidate and any opportunity to beat President Trump is going to be predicated on it being a two-person race. There are folks who are seriously considering shifting away from DeSantis and over to Nikki Haley.’

‘There’s definitely a lot of people talking,’ a top dollar donor supporting DeSantis, who asked to remain anonymous to speak more freely, told Fox News. ‘I think there’s a lot of frustration with the DeSantis campaign. We were like this pedigree thoroughbred on the starting and it just didn’t happen.’

Additionally, FOX Business Senior Correspondent Charlie Gasparino posted on X this week that ‘people close’ to the DeSantis campaign told him they are ‘growing increasingly despondent about his chances as he continues to languish in polls.’

‘They say he is stubbornly refusing the drop out and has enough money to stay in race hoping that something existential happens to Donald Trump.’

Gasparino also told Fox News Digital people close to the campaign are saying DeSantis needs to play ‘effective defense’ and that the operation is a ‘mess’ that lacks any ‘technocrats.’

While some donors are growing wary of the way the DeSantis campaign is trending, Fox News Digital spoke to several donors who believe the 2024 bid is right on track.

Dan Eberhart, an oil drilling chief executive officer and a prominent Republican donor and bundler who is supporting DeSantis, told Fox News Digital ‘we’re the only campaign built to go the distance.’ 

‘DeSantis is the only candidate who can beat Trump in Iowa,’ Eberhart said. 

Roy Bailey, a DeSantis fundraiser who previously served as Trump’s national finance co-chairman in 2016 and 2020, touted DeSantis’s fundraising operation in a phone call with Fox News Digital and said he feels ‘great’ about where the campaign is.

‘I think our candidate is hitting on all the notes,’ Bailey said. ‘I think he’s showing the leader that he is. Since the advent of the terrible tragedy and horrific things in Israel he is proven to be the leader that we all know he is. Great judgment.’

DeSantis donor and Point Bridge Capital CEO Hal Lambert told Fox News Digital that some of the Iowa polls are ‘off’ and that Haley will ‘not get’ double digits in the state when the votes are counted.

‘We’re still raising lots of money,’ Lambert said. ‘The narrative is out there I get it. The media in general wants Trump to be the nominee. The Democrat Party wants Trump to be the nominee and Trump wants to be the nominee. You have three pretty powerful groups that want him and so there’s been a lot of attacks on DeSantis.’

The latest presidential power rankings from Fox News show Trump with a commanding lead but with two candidates in the best position to ‘reshape’ the race with a strong showing in Iowa, DeSantis and Haley.

‘Nikki Haley is now second in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and is the only candidate with upward momentum in polls, fundraising and support,’ Ken Farnaso, spokesperson for Haley’s campaign, told Fox News Digital. ‘It’s time to start calling this a two-person race, between one man and one woman.’

Last month, the DeSantis campaign touted a $15 million July-September fundraising haul that they said at the time ‘shatters expectations’ while also confirming to Fox News the campaign is moving staff from Florida to Iowa, where the Jan. 15 caucuses lead off the GOP presidential nominating calendar.

DeSantis was once solidly in second place in the race for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, but he has seen his numbers in the surveys erode in recent months as Trump expanded his lead over the Florida governor. 

The latest Real Clear Politics average shows Trump at 48.8% in Iowa followed by DeSantis at 17.3% and Haley at 11.5%.

Overall, a Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday shows Trump leading the GOP field with 64% support in the race for the Republican presidential nomination followed by DeSantis at 15% and Haley with 6%.

Speaking to a press gaggle in New Hampshire on Thursday, DeSantis said ‘we feel very good about where we are.’

‘I would not trade positions with anybody,’ DeSantis added.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the COO of Never Back Down, a DeSantis aligned super Pac, Kristin Davison, said, ‘No one seriously thinks Nikki Haley has a real shot at winning the nomination and ‘the reality is Ron DeSantis is the only candidate who can bring the party together. He can win the forever Trump voters and the Never Trump voters.’

‘He is the only candidate voters see as the future of the party and the only one who can fight, win, and lead to get the country back on track,’ Davidson continued. ‘Donald Trump knows this which is why he’s only attacking DeSantis and propping up Haley.’

Andrew Romeo, communications director for the DeSantis campaign, told Fox News Digital that the DeSantis campaign has ‘out-raised the non-Trump field for the entire campaign.’

Romeo went on to say the DeSantis campaign’s ‘fourth quarter fundraising continues to accelerate, which is why we are beefing up our ad spending and launched our first ad in Iowa today.’

Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Chicago’s Lightfoot faces competitive re-election bid over crime fallout ahead of Thursday’s debate
  • Suit challenges Arkansas law charging librarians for showing minors ‘harmful’ material
  • WATCH: Biden responds to bribery scandal allegations with joke: ‘Where’s the money?’
  • Netanyahu invited to address Congress as Biden urges Hamas to take Israel peace offer
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
What Can the VIX Reveal To Us In November 2023?
next post
Massachusetts family among 400 cleared to leave Gaza, lawyer says

You may also like

DCCC gives talking points to House Dems amid Jordan’s bid...

October 18, 2023

Left’s favorite ‘woke’ initiative under serious threat after court’s controversial...

July 24, 2023

SCOTUS sees ‘dangerous precedent’ in Trump immunity case if presidents...

April 26, 2024

Tech Regulations: The EU regulates, the US steps back

October 8, 2024

Trump classified docs judge expands hearing to consider ‘unlawful’ appointment...

June 6, 2024

Biden admin to meet with Saudi defense minister this week...

October 30, 2023

Nebraska legislators begin debating no-permit concealed carry

March 2, 2023

‘Warning signs flashing’: Biden, Trump struggle to lock up base...

May 18, 2024

JD Vance calls for 25th Amendment to be invoked after...

July 23, 2024

Biden camp dismisses Trump immunity ruling: ‘Doesn’t change the facts’

July 1, 2024

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • Where the Market Goes Next: Key Resistance Levels + Top Bullish Stocks to Watch Now

      May 10, 2025
    • Recession Ahead? Sector Rotation Model Warns of Rising Risk

      May 10, 2025
    • Investment Portfolio Feeling Stagnant? Transform Your Path Today

      May 9, 2025
    • Confused by the Market? Let the Traffic Light Indicator Guide You

      May 9, 2025
    • Which Will Hit First: SPX 6100 or SPX 5100?

      May 9, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,633 views
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,339 views
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 2,321 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,303 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,186 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,536)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 2

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 3

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • Where the Market Goes Next: Key Resistance Levels + Top...

      May 10, 2025
    • Recession Ahead? Sector Rotation Model Warns of Rising Risk

      May 10, 2025
    • Investment Portfolio Feeling Stagnant? Transform Your Path Today

      May 9, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,066)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,536)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Gun rights group files lawsuit over...

    January 18, 2023

    DeSantis torches Trump for refusing to...

    August 12, 2023

    Consumer Debt Growth is Accelerating

    December 9, 2022
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here