State elections officials have removed years-old guidance against moving state political money to federal super PACs, clearing the way for a fund previously run by DeSantis to do just that.
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration has quietly changed state guidelines, essentially giving its blessing for a state-level political committee he previously ran to move millions of dollars to a super PAC helping his presidential campaign.
For years, elections officials said such a transfer to federal super PACs would not be allowed. But in March — just months before DeSantis formally launched his bid for president — officials at the Florida State Department, the DeSantis administration entity that regulates state elections, changed its handbook to assert that such moves are allowed.
The timing is notable because a state-level political committee DeSantis led for the past five years, known as Friends of Ron DeSantis, is widely expected to transfer $80 million to a federal super PAC called Never Back Down that is supporting his just-launched bid for president.
The handbook change marks a significant shift in the DeSantis administration’s stance on political fundraising. It has long been understood that money raised for state-level campaigns, including the Friends of Ron DeSantis fund, was meant for use within Florida politics, not for federal campaigns or super PACs.
This move comes as DeSantis’ presidential campaign faces steep competition from former President Donald Trump and a crowded GOP field. The adjustment in Florida’s election rules could provide DeSantis’ presidential campaign with a significant financial boost, giving him an advantage in what is expected to be an expensive battle for the Republican nomination.
The decision by Florida’s Department of State aligns with a broader trend where state-level committees linked to candidates seek ways to funnel money into their federal campaign efforts. However, critics argue that such changes raise concerns about transparency and the potential for undue influence over federal elections.
