What caused the downfall of Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign in Utah?
“He tried to be Trump without the scandals,” said Kirk Jowers, former director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and an adviser or counsel to five previous presidential campaigns. “But people decided that if it’s just Trump 2.0, we’ll keep the original.”
Don Peay, the founder of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, knew DeSantis was a former collegiate baseball player, and he secured a signed ball by ex-New York Yankees pitcher David Wells to present to DeSantis as a gift. When Peay offered it to DeSantis, he was met by a blank stare.
“He didn’t even say thank you,” Peay said. “Presidential politics is all about connecting with people. I knew then he couldn’t be president.”
Peay's sentiment amplified previous concerns from DeSantis’ visit in 2022. When he stopped by billionaire Scott Keller’s condo in downtown Salt Lake City, Keller — as is his custom when hosting politicians or celebrities — challenged DeSantis to a game of pingpong. DeSantis’ aides and bodyguards said that the governor did not have time and would not play. Keller insisted, and DeSantis finally relented.
“He wasn’t all that happy to play,” Keller said, “especially after I beat him.”