last summer. So his allies turned to donors the Florida governor still held sway over because of his day job.response contractor, CDR Enterprises, gave $1 million to his aligned super PAC Fight Right in the final weeks of the campaign.
James Uthmeier, DeSantis’s chief of staff and former campaign manager, said in response to a request for comment that “the premise of your article is entirely false.” Now that the campaign is over, Seminole is continuing to support the DeSantis political operation. The company has offered to subsidize the cost of the retreat, according to a person familiar with the planning. The event is designed to thank donors of $250,000 or more.Gary Bitner, a spokesman for Seminole Gaming, declined to comment on questions about the donation to Never Back Down and the April event. Herzog Railroad Services did not respond to a request for comment.
The arrangement has raised eyebrows among lawmakers because the property remains closed to the public after a recent renovation. A person who recently answered the phone at the property said it was only open to friends and family of the owners. The inn’s website says the institution remains “closed for renovation.” People familiar with the arrangement say the bar accepts payment in cash.
DeSantis has a history throughout his governorship of courting major donors, including to facilitate his penchant for private air travel. He took numerouson private jets and accepted lodging and dining from major donors, according to flight manifests, tracking data and other documents previously obtained by The Washington Post.