DeSantis moves millions $$ to Presidential campaign

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) has transferred more than $80 million of unspent funds from his gubernatorial campaign to his Presidential campaign, says National File after examining campaign records.

The DeSantis transfer

Charles Downs, writing at National File, noted a curious line item in the twenty-eight-page expenditure report for Empower Parents PAC. It shows a “contribution” of $82,500,000 to Never Back Down, Inc. Empower Parents PAC was a DeSantis gubernatorial campaign arm, whereas Never Back Down is his Presidential campaign arm. The report carries a date of June 6, 2023.

Legislator Ben Geller of Dutchess County, New York, pounced on that line item yesterday afternoon.

Laura Loomer quote-tweeted Leg. Geller’s anchor tweet and added some scathing commentary of her own. She suggested that donors who gave to Empower Parents PAC during the Midterms season should ask for refunds. “If enough people ask him for refunds,” she said, “his donor platform will shut him down for fraud.” Her main complaint is that voters who support Trump gave to Empower Parents to support Ron DeSantis for governor. Now, she says, the governor is using that same money, or much of it, to run against Trump.

After National File made its detailed exposé of the money transfer, Laura Loomer tweeted out a link to the article.

CNN noted the transfer two days ago, and also noted that the Campaign Legal Center filed an FEC complaint. CNN further noted that the Florida Department of State has changed its guidance recently regarding contributions by Florida PACs. The old guidance forbade transfers like this one; the new guidance allows it for “non-coordinated” expenditures.

Can he do this?

David Firestone, editorial board member of The New York Times, wrote on June 12 protesting the transfer. He carefully noted that Empower Parents PAC was once known as Friends of Ron DeSantis. Firestone, citing Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010), suggested Empower Parents PAC is not independent enough to allow a transfer like this. (CNN noted several changes in personnel at Empower Parents PAC. Firestone did not, but perhaps he felt those personnel changes didn’t matter.)

Update

Leg. Geller, in answer to this article, sought to clarify his attitude. An earlier version of his article stated that Mr. Geller accused Gov. DeSantis of fraud. In answer, he left this tweet: