Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) received the endorsement of a top evangelical leader in Iowa, potentially boosting him ahead of that state’s crucial caucuses. The support of Bob Vander Plaats comes after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) has also endorsed DeSantis as he is completing a tour of each county of the Hawkeye State.
The Family Leader President made his announcement on Fox News this week, stating that the Republican Party should “find somebody who can in 2024.”
He criticized what he described as Republican underperformances in the last several election cycles.
The evangelical leader called the Florida governor “bold and courageous.”
Vander Plaats said that DeSantis could “lead on day one.”
He said that the Florida governor would not be constrained by terms served, since Trump could not serve two consecutive terms in the White House.
The evangelical leader further said that DeSantis would “surround himself with the best and brightest.”
“He’s got a record of not only saying what he’s going to do, but actually getting it done,” he added.
VANDER PLAATS on why he endorsed @RonDeSantis: “He can lead on day one. He won't be a lame duck president…he'll surround himself with the best and brightest. He's got a record of not only saying what he's going to do, but actually getting it done.”
“Not only can he win the… pic.twitter.com/LK0mJItFAa
— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) November 22, 2023
The endorsement was welcomed by DeSantis, who had earlier promised to visit all 99 counties in Iowa. His campaign had promised a significant announcement as the governor finished his tour.
“We’re hopeful that we’re able to secure that endorsement,” DeSantis said.
Earlier this month Reynolds endorsed DeSantis, saying that Iowa Republicans should “elect someone who can win and beat Joe Biden.”
She described DeSantis as someone “who has a skill and a resolve to reverse the madness that we see every single day.”
Reynolds stated that she did not believe that former President Donald Trump could win the general election.
The former president criticized the governor, calling her the most unpopular governor in the country. He also said that such an endorsement would be “the end of her political career in that MAGA would never support her again, just as MAGA will never support DeSanctimonious again.”
“Two extremely disloyal people getting together is, however, a very beautiful thing to watch,” Trump wrote on social media. “They can now remain loyal to each other because nobody else wants them!!!”
