DeSantis Transfers $83 Million Raised for Governor Race to National Campaign PAC

posted by Sundance at Conservative Treehouse 

As expected, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is transferring the money he raised while running for reelection into a superpac to support his presidential ambitions.  Florida donors to his reelection might not be too happy with this decision, but that’s what professional Republicans do – details below.

As one person put it, “DeSantis used Florida like an Uber” to achieve his real ambitions.  As we noted last year, this plan was increasingly obvious {GO DEEP} and in hindsight very disappointing.  Every single move happened exactly as we predicted. Many Floridians I have talked to feel suckered by the duplicity.

Additionally, DeSantis is heading to the exclusive Yale Club in New York this month {link} to meet with Wall Street donors, multinational corporate executives, and at least one mega donor with links to George Soros organization; go figure.

WASHINGTON – The Florida political committee once controlled by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis transferred $82.5 million last month to a super PAC supporting his presidential campaign, according to information posted to the committee’s website.

The shift of the funds has been anticipated ever since DeSantis entered the race with tens of millions of dollars left over from his 2022 reelection bid. However, the move nevertheless makes official an unprecedented effort by DeSantis allies to test the limits of campaign finance laws to benefit a presidential contender.

The Campaign Legal Center, a watchdog group, has already filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commision, flagging the expected transfer as potentially illegal. The organization alleges that DeSantis had unlawfully directed the money into a super PAC, Never Back Down, which is supposed to operate independently of candidates.

It’s unclear whether the FEC can – or will – step in. A similar case arose during the 2020 election, concerning the management of funds by GOP Rep. Byron Donalds. The FEC took no enforcement action in that case.

DeSantis shattered fundraising records for a non-self-funded gubernatorial candidate during his reelection, raising more than $190 million between his committee and campaign in the two years leading up to the 2022 midterms. But DeSantis needed far less than that to defeat Democrat Charlie Crist and entered 2023 with tens of millions left over. He added to that amount in the months between his reelection and announcing his campaign for president. (more)

Here are the details on Ron’s true allegiances – the source of much of the campaign cash he has been assembling in his effort to defeat Donald Trump on their behalf.

NEW YORK – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is coming to New York for a private presidential campaign fundraiser that’s set to be hosted by at least four Wall Street executives, including one with past ties to a firm backed by liberal billionaire George Soros, a frequent target of DeSantis and other Republicans.

The event is scheduled to take place June 29 at the swanky Yale Club, according to a copy of an invitation seen by CNBC. It will be one of DeSantis’ first fundraisers in the Big Apple since he officially launched his campaign for president last month.

The hosts listed on the DeSantis invitation include Paul Ardire, a partner at GoldenTree Asset Management, along with Christian Michalik, Rob Michalik and Corwynne Carruthers, who are all leaders at Kinderhook Industries, a private equity firm with at least $5 billion in assets under management, according to data from PitchBook. GoldenTree has at least $50 billion in assets under management, PitchBook says.

[…] According to the invitation, in order to attend the DeSantis fundraiser, a co-host must raise $50,000 and attendees to the lunch must contribute $6,600, the maximum amount a donor can give that can then be split evenly between the primary campaign account and the general election account. (read more)

DeSantis is not going to live this down in Florida.  Once his failed campaign comes to an end, there is not going to be any forgiveness for his fraud.