DeSantis PAC is making donations to Iowa lawmakers who supported him

A political action committee led by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis donated tens of thousands of dollars to Iowa lawmakers who endorsed his bid for president, state campaign finance records show.

The group, called Great American Comeback, gave a total of $92,500 to 14 lawmakers between October and December — all of whom had previously supported Mr. DeSantis, the records show. That figure includes $15,000 each for two of Mr. DeSantis’ most prominent legislative backers, Amy Sinclair, the president of the Iowa State Senate, and Matt Windschitl, the Iowa House majority leader.

Groups like Great American Comeback – known as leadership committees – are often used by candidates to support their allies.

Never Back Down, a super PAC backing Mr. DeSantis, has also organized fundraisers for Iowa lawmakers who supported him.

Mr. DeSantis has aggressively sought the support of influential Iowans, securing the backing of Gov. Kim Reynolds and evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats. But polls show him still far behind the front-runner, former President Donald J. Trump, and now about even with former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Andrew Romeo, a spokesman for the DeSantis campaign, said the donations reflected Mr. DeSantis’ efforts to help fellow Republicans.

“The rising tides lift all boats – just as Republicans won the Florida elections up and down under his leadership, as president he will end the Republican Party’s culture of losing and make winning contagious,” Romeo said in a statement.

Ms. Sinclair and Mr. Windschitl did not immediately respond to requests for comment.