11 months ago
Veteran Republican strategist Phil Cox is joining Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential bid, as the PAC looks to regroup following a series of leadership changes.
Cox will be senior adviser to the super PAC, according to three people familiar with the move. A longtime DeSantis ally, he will advise the board of directors and oversee the PAC’s field and budget strategy, said the people, who were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The move comes amid a broader restructuring of Never Back Down. Late last week, the super PAC fired a handful of staffers, including its interim chief executive officer, Kristin Davison. Davison had been in the role for just nine days after taking over for her predecessor, Chris Jankowski, who stepped down. The super PAC’s board chairman, Adam Laxalt, stepped down in late November.
As part of the shakeup, Scott Wagner, another longtime DeSantis ally, stepped into the role of board chairman.
The PAC has also been tasked with focusing on turnout operations, while another newly formed pro-DeSantis super PAC, Fight Right, will be overseeing advertising efforts. Never Back Down has several key field staffers, including Kate Roberts, Jordan Wiggins, Michael Mahfouz and Jared Small.
Cox will not be taking a salary or compensation, the people familiar with the decision said. Cox, a former Republican Governors Association executive director, also played a key role in guiding DeSantis’ successful 2022 reelection effort.
Cox had earlier in the year worked for Never Back Down in a volunteer capacity, though in late May he stepped down from the position.
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