DeSantis hires back Pushaw as he reassembles Florida government team

TALLAHASSEE

A month after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended his campaign for president, some of the most prominent members of his political team are returning to his administration with taxpayerfunded jobs.

Christina Pushaw, who became well-known for her extremely online persona as the DeSantis campaign’s rapid-response director, will be serving as a senior analyst for the governor. While the office has yet to comment on what her job duties are, records show she will be earning an annual salary of $155,000.

Bryan Griffin, who served as the presidential campaign’s press secretary, is back serving as the governor’s communications director. He is earning $160,000, records show.

And last month, James Uthmeier, who worked as the campaign manager for DeSantis’ failed bid for president, returned to his role of chief of staff. His annual salary is roughly $196,000.

Griffin on Tuesday posted a meme from 1980’s “The Blues Brothers” movie with the words “We’re putting the band back together,” on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The re-hires show how DeSantis is regrouping with nearly three years left in his second term in office and how he is surrounding himself with individuals who have a history of focusing on many of the governor’s political priorities.

Since suspending his presidential campaign, DeSantis has renewed his focus on the pandemic, school-book challenges and immigration — policy issues that have been key parts of his political platform.

The governor’s office did not comment on Pushaw’s hire. But Pushaw said it would involve working on “communications and digital projects.”