DeSantis's biggest donor says he won't give more money unless changes are made

(Patria) - Hotelier Robert Bigelow, the largest individual donor to the group supporting Ron DeSantis's presidential candidacy, told Reuters he will not donate more money unless the Florida governor attracts new major donors and adopts a more moderate approach.

Bigelow's comments, who gave $20 million to the pro-DeSantis "Never Back Down" super PAC in March, highlight donor concerns about the Florida governor's campaign, which has failed to dent former President Donald Trump's large lead for the 2024 Republican nomination.

"He has to switch to get to the moderates. He's going to lose if he doesn't... Extremism is not going to get you elected," Bigelow said, adding that he had told DeSantis's staff this.

When asked what specific policies Bigelow did not support, he cited DeSantis signing a bill in April passed by the Florida legislature banning abortion after six weeks, a move that came after Bigelow's $20 million donation.

Bigelow said he would not donate more money for now. "Not until I see that he's able to generate more on his own. I'm already giving a disproportionate amount," Bigelow said.

Bigelow, founder of the Las Vegas-based Bigelow Aerospace, said he was not waiting for an exact fundraising figure, but it would be "a lot".

In a statement to Reuters, DeSantis campaign spokesperson Bryan Griffin said they were "grateful" to the supporters and donors who have given them the "ability to compete for the long haul," without directly addressing Bigelow.

Bigelow's comments are likely to fuel the perception that DeSantis is in a downward spiral in popularity as his right-wing social policies and cool personality fail to excite voters.

DeSantis has veered to the right of Trump despite many Republican strategists saying he should instead try to appeal to moderates concerned about Trump's policies and electability.

While DeSantis has attracted major donors desperately seeking an alternative to Trump, Bigelow stands out among them. After him, Never Back Down's second-largest individual donor is venture capitalist Douglas Leone, who gave $2 million, according to campaign finance records.

DeSantis's campaign finances have been under scrutiny in recent weeks after his campaign laid off 38 employees, or more than a third of its staff.

DeSantis's campaign and Never Back Down had a combined $109 million in the bank at the end of June, significantly above the combined $53 million in Trump's campaign and his allied super PAC, known as MAGA Inc, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Bigelow said he remained behind DeSantis. "I think he's the best guy for the country." But the hotelier was angered by the six-week abortion ban bill, saying it was too early and many women don't even know they are pregnant at that stage.

Abortion restrictions have upset other donors. Metals magnate and Republican donor Andy Sabin, for example, became angered with DeSantis and threw his support to Senator Tim Scott partly over the abortion issue.

The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll showed DeSantis at 13 percent support among Republicans compared to 47 percent for Trump.