In a new display of declining support for Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson, all five paid staffers in the New Hampshire office of the super PAC supporting the former neurosurgeon have quit their positions. The staffers left on Sunday to become volunteers for Ted Cruz after growing disappointed with Carson who they say hasn't spent enough time in the early primary states, according to MMUR.
"We hold Dr. Carson in the highest regard," said Jerry Sickles, spokesman for the staff, according to Boston.com. "This is a man we revere, but we think it is important that our party nominate a conservative and get behind a single conservative who can win, and we strongly believe that candidate is Ted Cruz.
"I can't tell you how many times I would be out talking to voters who liked Dr. Carson but said, 'Can you get him to come here?'"
Carson has shown a steady decline in the polls since peaking in November. RealClear Politics shows Carson polling at a 9.5 percent average after nearly reaching 25 percent in early November. In New Hampshire, Carson is behind virtually every candidate, coming in ninth place with 3.5 percent and only ahead of Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee, who have less than 1 percent.
Last month, Carson's campaign manager and communications director resigned from their posts, causing further strife within the campaign that has suffered a slump since it hit its peak in November. Carson's campaign manager, Barry Bennett, and communications director, Doug Watts, gave Carson their notice, according to the Des Moines Register.
In a statement to the Des Moines Register, Watts said: "Yes, Barry Bennett and I have resigned from the Carson campaign effective immediately. We respect the candidate and we have enjoyed helping him go from far back in the field to top tier status. Having just announced raising $23 million for the fourth quarter, more than any other Republican candidate, and passing one million contributions and and over 600 million unique donors. Since March, we are proud of our efforts for Dr. Carson and we wish him and his campaign the best of luck."
