Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis gained 50 new endorsements from pastors and religion leaders throughout Iowa, bringing him to over 150 complete endorsements from religion leaders within the remaining days earlier than the Iowa caucuses.
DeSantis’ marketing campaign confirmed to Fox Information Digital that the 50 new endorsers plan to caucus for him on Monday.
Pastors pointed to DeSantis’ “unwavering religion” and his observe file of defending spiritual liberty in Florida.
“Different candidates speak, however Ron DeSantis is a real man of unwavering religion and defender of non secular liberty who we are able to belief to unite our nation and revive America,” Pastor Jeff Moes of Sunnybrook Neighborhood Church stated. “I might be honored to help him on caucus evening and encourage my fellow Iowans to do the identical.”
Others pointed to his “Christian worldview” for why they’re backing the Florida governor.
“I consider that Ron DeSantis is a politician whose core convictions are primarily based upon rules of religion and a Christian worldview,” Pastor AJ Potter of Pleasantville Baptist Church stated. “He has earned my respect and my full help for the upcoming caucus this Monday.”
The 50 further endorsements to DeSantis come after his marketing campaign turned its consideration to interesting to evangelical voters.
HALEY PULLS AHEAD OF DESANTIS IN BATTLE FOR DISTANT 2ND PLACE BEHIND TRUMP IN NEW IOWA POLL
In September, DeSantis launched his Religion and Household Coalition, which centered on his promise to “defend spiritual freedom, permit individuals of religion to flourish and advance the tradition of life.”
In November, influential evangelical chief Bob Vander Plaats endorsed DeSantis and has been campaigning usually for him.
Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Household Chief group, has lengthy performed a significant position in a state the place evangelical voters play an outsized position in Republican politics.
Vander Plaats backed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2008, former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania in 2012, and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in 2016 – all three of whom went on to win the Iowa caucuses, however did not seize the GOP presidential nomination.
A brand new ballot, launched Thursday, prompt that former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley had moved previous DeSantis for a distant second place behind former President Trump.
In accordance with a Suffolk College survey of 500 Iowa voters prone to take part in Monday’s GOP presidential caucuses, Trump stands at 54% help, with Haley at 20% and DeSantis at 13%.
The ballot was carried out from Jan. 6-10, when Haley and DeSantis confronted off in a primetime debate in Iowa, whereas Trump concurrently took half in a Fox Information city corridor.
Fox Information’ Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.