Top strategist for DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down resigns amid internal disputes

Jeff Roe, a chief strategist for the super PAC supporting Gov. Ron DeSantis’s (R-FL) presidential bid, stepped down from his role over the weekend in the latest major departure from the conflict-embroiled group.

Roe announced his departure from Never Back Down late Saturday evening, hours after the PAC made statements to the Washington Post suggesting that they had fired Roe’s colleagues from his firm over “mismanagement and conduct issues.” The GOP strategist’s move is the latest development in what has been a tumultuous few weeks for the PAC, which has been plagued by departures.

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“I can’t believe it ended this way,” Roe wrote on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a statement revealing his decision. He added that while the message was “a wake up,” it also served to highlight his disappointment to be leaving the team at such a critical juncture.

“I cannot in good conscience stay affiliated with Never Back Down given the statements in the Washington Post today,” the statement read. “They are not true and an unwanted distraction at a critical time for Governor DeSantis. I am resigning my position effective immediately. Governor DeSantis has been an exceptional governor and I hope he will be the 47th President of the United States.”

The report in question included quotes from Scott Wagner, the PAC’s new chairman, that a group of recently ousted employees claim had falsely maligned them.

“Following mismanagement and conduct issues, including numerous unauthorized leaks containing false information, senior officials were terminated,” Wagner was quoted as saying. “We don’t have time to indulge false narratives from those with ulterior motives.”

A lawyer for those terminated senior officials then contacted Wagner to say that his quote was “categorically false,” prompting the NBD chairman to amend his statement.

“Following some opinions regarding mismanagement and conduct issues, including some who believed there appeared to be numerous unauthorized leaks containing false information, NBD and some senior officials parted ways,” the new statement read.

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The change was insufficient for Roe, who then tendered his resignation.

NBD has been beset by bad headlines in recent months amid alleged feuding with the DeSantis campaign and a string of resignations. Wagner’s new leadership has led to a string of firings, including the PAC’s chief executive officer. His tenure began following the departure of the previous board chairman: former Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt. NBD president Chris Jankowski also stepped aside at the same time.