TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Ron DeSantis has replaced his presidential campaign manager with James Uthmeier, his chief of staff at the governor’s office. Uthmeier has been one of the governor’s most trusted advisors and replaces Generra Peck, who will remain as chief strategist for the campaign.
“People have written Governor DeSantis’s obituary many times,” Uthmeier told The Messenger, who first reported the news, in a statement. “From his race against establishment primary candidate Adam Putnam, to his victory over legacy media-favored candidate Andrew Gillum, to his twenty point win over Charlie Crist, Governor 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,” Uthmeier added.
The Messenger reports that some outside advisors and donors wanted more from Peck’s performance, leading Uthmeier to assist the campaign in diagnosing problems. Ultimately, Governor DeSantis offered Uthmeier the job.
David Polyansky, an experienced Iowa operative, will assist Uthmeier as the new deputy campaign manager, lending his expertise surrounding the first-in-the-nation caucus state’s primaries. Senior advisor Ryan Tyson and Marc Reichelderfer, a Tallahassee lobbyist, will take on expanded roles in the campaign.
Alex Kelley, Florida’s Secretary of Commerce, will replace Uthmeier in the governor’s office as acting chief of staff and will work closely with David Dewhirst, a senior advisor who previously served as the solicitor general of Montana.
