Ron DeSantis continues staffing shuffle, replaces campaign manager

Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is shuffling his presidential campaign team again, naming James Uthmeier as his new campaign manager.

Uthmeier is the chief of staff for the governor's office and one of DeSantis' most trusted advisers, The Messenger reported Tuesday. It is the third time the DeSantis campaign has reorganized in the last month after cutting staff twice.

Uthmeier has been the chief of staff for the Florida governor's office since October 2021. Prior to that, he served as general counsel to DeSantis.

"People have written Gov. DeSantis' obituary many times," Uthmeier said in a statement. "Gov. DeSantis has proven that he knows how to win. He's breaking records on fundraising and has a supporting super PAC with $100 million in the bank and an incredible ground game. Get ready."

DeSantis has raised an estimated $20.4 million for his campaign to win the GOP nomination in2024, according to the Federal Exchange Commission.

Uthmeier replaces Generra Peck, who managed DeSantis' gubernatorial re-election campaign in 2022. David Polyansky, a political strategist for the Never Back Down super campaign political action committee, has been appointed deputy campaign manager.

Andrew Romeo, communications director for the campaign, said in a statement that Uthmeier will work "hand in hand" with Peck, who will remain on the team as chief strategist.

The move comes nearly two weeks ahead of the first Republican primary debate on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. DeSantis is one of eight Republicans who have met the Republican National Committee's criteria to participate.

To qualify, candidates must receive 40,000 donations from unique donors, including 200 in 20 different states, and poll a minimum of 1% in three national polls.

DeSantis reduced his campaign staff by more than a third in late July in an attempt to "streamline operations." Advisers noted excess spending on the campaign trail for large-scale events and travel for fundraisers, which combined for $5.6 million in costs in the second quarter.

"Following a top-to-bottom review of our organization, we have taken additional, aggressive steps to streamline operations and put Ron DeSantis in the strongest position to win this primary and defeat Joe Biden," Peck said in a statement following the cuts.