(VitalNews.org) – GOP presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing a media run on the left-leaning legacy media networks, marking a new phase for his campaign after failing to increase his poll numbers since entering the race.
After shunning the mainstream media throughout his campaign so far, DeSantis will make an appearance on CNN’s Jake Tapper for an interview. The one-on-one comes right after DeSantis’ campaign fired a bunch of staffers working in event planning, another sign that the campaign will be shifting strategy.
Despite the speculation that the DeSantis campaign is having financial problems, it’s raised more money in its first quarter than the rest of its competitors, including President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. With $12.2 million in the coffers, the DeSantis campaign comes in third for most funds among GOP candidates. There are also super PACs supporting the Florida governor, including Never Back Down which boasts around $120 million and growing.
A senior campaign advisor for Trump, Jason Miller, said DeSantis’ attempts to shift gears in his campaign are a sign of desperation. He said DeSantis’ poll numbers have been “dropping like a rock” and accused DeSantis of trying to attach his name “to something or somebody” who is popular to stay relevant. This includes Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who Miller says DeSantis is trying to associate himself with because of the governor’s popularity in his state. DeSantis responded to Trump’s criticism of Reynolds supporting him by stating Reynolds is someone DeSantis would consider for a running mate.
DeSantis was showing as the primary frontrunner in a few state and national polls after the midterms in November. While most Republican candidates across the country underperformed in the midterms, DeSantis won re-election in Florida by a steep 19 points.
Trump regained the lead in polls, especially after being indicted on multiple felony charges by the District Attorney of Manhattan a few months ago. Rather than hurting Trump’s popularity, the indictment gave him a boost, as many Republicans view the case as a political witchhunt to try and push Trump out of the race entirely. His Super PAC also spent over $20 million on anti-DeSantis campaign ads.
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