In a major shake-up to his struggling presidential campaign, Republican candidate Ron DeSantis has replaced his campaign manager, Generra Peck, with his longtime chief of staff, James Uthmeier. This decision comes after DeSantis made two significant staff cuts in recent weeks due to financial troubles. Peck, who led DeSantis' successful reelection campaign for Florida governor in 2022, will remain on the team as a strategist. The changes also include the addition of David Polyansky, a former senior adviser to the pro-DeSantis super PAC "Never Back Down," as a deputy campaign manager. Polyansky's experience in early voting Iowa is seen as crucial for the DeSantis campaign, as they aim to make a strong showing in the state. The staff shake-up was first reported by The Messenger on Tuesday.

DeSantis' decision to replace Peck as campaign manager comes as his campaign has struggled to gain momentum, with early state polls showing him trailing former President Donald Trump. The move was reportedly prompted by concerns from donors over the campaign's financial situation, which led to layoffs and smaller campaign events. Peck's heavy spending was a significant factor in the fund-raising shortfall, leading to criticism from both allies and donors.

James Uthmeier, who has been a key adviser to DeSantis for years, is stepping into the role of campaign manager. Despite his lack of campaign experience, Uthmeier is highly trusted by DeSantis and is expected to work closely with Peck and the rest of the team to put the governor in the best position to win the primary and defeat Joe Biden.

In addition to Uthmeier, David Polyansky's move from the pro-DeSantis super PAC to the campaign is seen as a significant change. Polyansky's experience in Iowa, where DeSantis hopes to make a strong showing, is expected to be valuable. He previously worked on the presidential campaigns of Scott Walker and Ted Cruz and helped Joni Ernst win election to the U.S. Senate in 2014.

The staff changes have raised concerns among some DeSantis fundraisers and supporters. One fundraiser expressed worry over Uthmeier's lack of political experience, noting that the speed and dynamics of a campaign are different from those of government. However, campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo defended the changes, stating that Uthmeier's experience and trustworthiness make him the right choice for the role.

Despite the concerns, DeSantis remains confident in his ability to win the presidency. He has faced criticism and doubts before but has consistently proven his ability to come out on top. The addition of Polyansky, along with Uthmeier's close collaboration with Peck and the rest of the team, is expected to strengthen the campaign and help DeSantis gain ground in the primary race.

The staff shake-up comes at a crucial time for DeSantis, as his campaign schedule and engagement with mainstream media outlets have been accelerating. The changes are seen as an effort to reinvigorate the campaign and address the concerns raised by donors and supporters. As the campaign moves forward, all eyes will be on DeSantis and his new team to see if they can turn things around and position him as a strong contender in the Republican primary.