‘We are way behind’: Top DeSantis PAC official sounds alarm

A top spokesperson for Ron DeSantis’ super PAC is sounding a decidedly dour note on the Florida governor’s presidential prospects, saying his campaign is facing an “uphill battle” and is trailing badly in the key nominating states.

Steve Cortes, who previously supported Donald Trump, also heaped praise on the former president, calling him a “runaway frontrunner” and “maestro” of the debate.

"Right now in national polling we are way behind, I’ll be the first to admit that,” Cortes said in a Twitter spaces event that was recorded on Sunday night. “I believe in being blunt and honest. It's an uphill battle but clearly Donald Trump is the runaway frontrunner.”

Calling the DeSantis campaign the “clear underdog,” he added: "In the first four states which matter tremendously, polls are a lot tighter, we are still clearly down. We're down double digits, we have work to do.”

The remarks amounted to a remarkably blunt admission of vulnerability from within the ranks of a leading presidential operation, contrasting with the projection of confidence that other DeSantis aides often adopt. Cortes did say he thought the gap between Trump and DeSantis could be closed once DeSantis’ personal and political story is shared more widely on the campaign trail. But he also rationalized a DeSantis primary campaign failure by predicting healthy competition could benefit Trump in a general election.

"If we do not prevail — and I have every intent on winning, I didn’t sign up for this to come in second — but if we do not prevail I will tell you this, we will make President Trump better for having this kind of primary,” Cortes said.

The commentary by Cortes came in a conversation with the @CryptoLawyerz, an anonymous Twitter account popular with conservatives.

When asked about his comments, Cortes responded in an email that Trump “has debated through two successive presidential cycles, so of course he possesses a lot of experience in that arena. But I am convinced that Governor DeSantis will outperform expectations and inform large audiences about his amazing life, political record, and winning agenda for the presidency.“

He said, “Taking on an incumbent or former president in the primary always represents a significant challenge. I gladly embraced that reality in joining the team. All of us on Team DeSantis remain convinced that the governor has a strong path to the nomination, and the best chance of any Republican to defeat Biden in the general election.“

In a statement, DeSantis campaign spokesperson Bryan Griffin said, “Ron Desantis has been underestimated in every race he has won, and this time will be no different. Donald Trump has to explain to Republican voters why he didn't do the things he is now promising in his first term as president. Governor Ron DeSantis over-delivered on his promises as governor and has the national vision we need to restore our country, clean out DC, and lead our Great American Comeback. This campaign is a marathon, not a sprint; we will be victorious."

Cortes endorsed DeSantis for president in May after working on the Trump campaign in 2016 and 2020. He joined the Never Back Down super PAC as an adviser and spokesperson in that same month. On the Twitter spaces discussion, Cortes called DeSantis the “next natural evolution” of the America First movement and said he does not believe Trump is the “most conservative, patriotic, populist candidate who can win the general election.”

“I am of the belief that since 2020 he has not gained any voters, but he has shed quite a few,” Cortes said of Trump.

In national polls, Trump has maintained a consistent, double digit lead over his 2024 rivals, none of whom have managed to capture the same kind of draw or enthusiasm as the former president. His grip on the Republican electorate has strengthened in the aftermath of two indictments — one for an alleged hush money payment to a pornographic actress, the other for allegedly mishandling classified documents. And although DeSantis is seen as Trump’s biggest threat, the Florida governor has been trailing Trump in national and state polling — with the exception of a recent state poll in Wisconsin that showed the two virtually tied.

Next month, the 2024 Republican field will have the opportunity to square off in a debate hosted by the Republican National Committee and moderated by Fox News. But Trump has made clear he is unlikely to join. Cortes said it would be a “great disservice” if Trump didn’t debate. But he also suggested that DeSantis might benefit from his absence.

“Is Ron the debater that Trump is?” he said. “No, no he isn't."

“Absolutely Donald Trump is the maestro of it right, no doubt about it, right. When he gets on the debate stage, you know, and on his feet, in front of a microphone, he debates like Jack Nicklaus played golf, there's no doubt about it,” Cortes said.

In addition to providing some of the most candid observations about the race from within the DeSantis camp, Cortes talked about some of the personal attacks and backlash he faced for choosing to endorse the Florida governor over Trump.

“I was honored to work for [Trump],” he said.

But he added, “I believe we can be reasonable about where he fell short and what the path is moving forward.”