Iowa Faith Leader Throws Support Behind DeSantis, Boosting His Bid for President

Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the influential conservative group The FAMilY Leader organization, endorsed Florida Governor Don DeSantis for president in an appearance on Fox News Tuesday evening. (“FAMilY” is their own unique capitalization in their name.)

Vander Plaats stated on Bret Baier’s “Special Report” that “we need to find someone who can win in the year 2024.”

He also praised DeSantis’s reelection win in Florida in 2022, despite the red wave that did not materialize in the majority of the rest of the country.

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“Gov. DeSantis turned a state that was a toss-up in Florida into a red state — he won by 20 percentage points.

Vander Plaats has endorsed the Iowa Caucus winners in 2008, 2012, and 2016.

DeSantis thanked Vander Plaats via social media

DeSantis announced the endorsement earlier on Tuesday.

DeSantis said to reporters that he was “hopeful” that he would be able to secure the endorsement. New Hampshire is the state where the GOP’s first and second contests will take place, following the Iowa caucuses.

Former South Carolina Governor and former South Carolina Ambassador, both GOP rivals for the White House in 2024, are also present. Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek RAMASWAMY, and Vander Plaats appeared together with Vanderplaats at the Family Leader Presidential Forum in Des Moines on Friday.

Former President Donald Trump was invited but declined to attend. Vander Plaats has been described by some as having a “rocky” relationship with Trump. DeSantis pointed to Vander Plaats and said on Tuesday, “Bob is someone who’s been vocal about Donald Trump not being the way forward. He won’t be able to get the job accomplished, especially as a lame-duck president.”

DeSantis received a major endorsement earlier this month from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Reynolds told Trump that she believed he (Trump) couldn’t win, but she believed Ron can.