In a surprising move, influential evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats of Iowa is poised to endorse Ron DeSantis in the upcoming presidential primary, challenging the dominance of frontrunner Donald Trump. Vander Plaats, known for accurately picking GOP primary winners in Iowa, is taking a significant gamble by backing a candidate trailing Trump by 30 points in the state.
Having previously supported Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, and Ted Cruz—all eventual Iowa winners but unsuccessful primary candidates—Vander Plaats now navigates a political landscape dominated by Trump’s influence. Despite DeSantis’ push to secure the Iowa vote and recent endorsement from Governor Kim Reynolds, Vander Plaats faces the challenge of convincing evangelicals to shift allegiance away from Trump.
The potential endorsement may risk further alienating Vander Plaats from Trump, who already faces criticism from some of his supporters derisively labeling him “Vander Poop.” Furthermore, Vander Plaats may find himself at odds with evangelical Christians who continue to rally behind Trump, despite his absence from Family Leader events and differing stances on issues such as abortion.
At a recent “Thanksgiving Family Forum” in Des Moines, Vander Plaats probed DeSantis about his candidacy, acknowledging the Florida governor’s distant second place in Iowa polls. DeSantis used the opportunity to present his case, criticizing Trump on various fronts, from unfulfilled promises to concerns about general election viability.
However, the implicit recognition of Trump’s enduring popularity was evident when candidates were asked to identify the greatest moral threat facing the country, with none directly addressing Trump’s legal challenges or election claims.
For DeSantis, securing Vander Plaats’ endorsement is crucial as he seeks to overcome Trump’s lead in Iowa and boost his presidential aspirations. Despite the risk for Vander Plaats, who may face backlash from Trump supporters, the endorsement could provide a significant advantage to DeSantis as he strives to build a winning coalition in Iowa.
As the Iowa caucuses draw near, the dynamics of the Vander Plaats primary will shed light on the evolving political landscape and the influence of evangelical leaders in shaping the GOP primary race.
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