DeSantis super PAC chairman steps down in another high-profile departure

By Steve Contorno, CNN

(CNN) — Adam Laxalt, one of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ closest friends in politics, is stepping down from his role as chairman of a super PAC supporting the Republican’s presidential campaign, a source with knowledge of the move confirmed.

Laxalt, who was roommates with DeSantis during naval officer training, joined Never Back Down in April shortly after its launch and before the Florida governor launched his campaign for president. The move put a key ally on the board of a super PAC that had an unusually outsize role in supporting a presidential candidate.

Laxalt brought a wealth of campaign experience in the early-nominating state of Nevada, having served as its attorney general before running unsuccessfully for governor and the US Senate.

Laxalt’s departure is effective immediately, he told the Never Back Down board in a letter provided to CNN by request and first reported by The New York Times.

“After nearly 26 straight months of being in a full-scale campaign, I need to return my time and attention to my family and law practice,” Laxalt wrote.

The departure of Laxalt comes on the heels of the exit of Never Back Down’s chief executive, Chris Jankowski, who stepped down last week. It also comes amid continued tension between DeSantis’ political operation and Never Back Down, which bled into the public view again recently when a rival super PAC, Fight Right, Inc., was formed by several individuals viewed as much closer to the governor.

The launch of the new group occurred at least in part because negative ads run by Never Back Down were becoming too closely associated with DeSantis, according to a source familiar with the situation.

DeSantis and his wife, Casey, were not unhappy with Never Back Down’s efforts overall, the source said, but they didn’t think the ads were as strong as they could be.

DeSantis has often appeared at events sponsored by Never Back Down. The super PAC has already spent at least $41 million boosting him and millions more on the campaign events featuring the governor, having received a transfer of more than $80 million in political funds that he had stockpiled in his state-level fundraising committee ahead of the White House race.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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