Caporale had rubbed some members of staff the wrong way, another Republican said. | Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo DeSantis staff shakeup prompts competing narratives

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis has lost as many as seven aides in the past 24 hours, some of whom have been with him since the start of his campaign, according to a person with direct knowledge of the turnover.

The departures, which include the scheduling director and director of external affairs, have prompted competing narratives about whether the office is in chaotic upheaval or simply experiencing a transition typical for any new governor, especially after the end of his first legislative session.


“It sounds like it’s the Saturday night massacre,” said a veteran lobbyist familiar with the exodus. “There is a lot going on over there, and everyone is kind of wondering what is next.”

DeSantis spokesperson Helen Aguirre Ferré did not respond to requests for a full list of departures or offer an explanation for the turnover. After initial publication of this story, she said five people had left the office.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican and DeSantis ally, said staff turnover is natural after the close of a legislative session.

“After the first session, it’s normal to undergo a reorganization in preparation for off-session work with agencies and prepare for the next legislative session,” Gaetz told POLITICO.

The most prominent departure is Justin Caporale, director of external affairs, who left Thursday. Prior to joining the governor’s office, Caporale had worked on President Donald Trump’s campaign advance team and as a special assistant to the president.

A Republican who knows Caporale said he had been looking to transition out of the governor’s office after the November election, but also called the staff shakeup highly unusual.

“This was always a temporary landing spot for Justin,” said the Republican political observer who knows Caporale. “He had always planned to leave the end of June and go back to his company to work for the 2020 cycle.”

But “to have that many governor’s office staff told they are out of jobs and the same day be out isn’t generally how that goes,” the person said.

Caporale had rubbed some members of staff the wrong way, another Republican said.

“He clashed with some other staffers in the office, which had become a problem,” said a veteran Republican lobbyist familiar with complaints about Caporale. “He is a pro, but there was some tension there.”

Director of Scheduling Amanda Emmons has also left the office. She had been with DeSantis since the Republican primary, working with him throughout the 2018 election cycle before joining his office.

A handful of other lower level staff also were also let go, according to people with direct knowledge of the decisions.

The departures come after what has been a largely successful legislative session for DeSantis, who got many of his top priorities. His office also recently completed a five-day trade mission to Israel.