In a major blow to Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign, Adam Laxalt has resigned as the chairman of the Never Back Down super PAC, which has been playing a prominent role in supporting DeSantis. This comes just over a week after the departure of Chris Jankowski, the super PAC's chief executive. Laxalt's resignation, which was first reported by The New York Times, has raised concerns about the stability of DeSantis' campaign as he struggles to maintain his position as the second-ranking candidate in the Republican race.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Laxalt's resignation is significant because Never Back Down has been instrumental in supporting DeSantis's campaign. Super PACs like Never Back Down can receive unlimited donations but are not allowed to coordinate directly with campaigns. Laxalt, who was the former attorney general of Nevada and the chairman of the super PAC, did not provide an immediate comment, and DeSantis' campaign has also not responded to requests for comment.

The New York Times reported that Laxalt cited the need to dedicate more time to his family and law practice in his resignation letter to the super PAC's board. However, sources close to Laxalt suggest that concerns over excessive spending within the group may have also played a role in his decision to step down.

Adding to DeSantis' challenges, former U.S. ambassador to the UN and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley has surpassed him in key states that hold significant influence in the Republican primaries. Both DeSantis and Haley are trailing more than 40 points behind former President Donald Trump, who remains the frontrunner in most national polls.

As DeSantis faces these setbacks, his campaign manager, James Uthmeier, outlined the roles that the super PACs will continue to play. In a note to donors, Uthmeier expressed confidence in the “NBD-army” and the newly launched Fight Right super PAC, which will focus on television advertising for DeSantis. Uthmeier emphasized the importance of a united front in the final push for victory in the Iowa Caucus, vowing that DeSantis is the candidate who can win.

The Iowa Republican caucuses, scheduled for January 15, will be the starting point for the presidential nominating contests. As DeSantis fights to regain momentum and secure a strong position in the race, the departures of key officials from his campaign have raised questions about the overall strength and stability of his candidacy.