DeSantis expected to land the endorsement of influential Iowa evangelical leader in race for GOP nomination

The influential evangelical leader of a top social conservative organization in Iowa is expected to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, multiple sources with knowledge of the plan confirm to Fox News.

Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of The Family Leader organization, is expected to endorse DeSantis in an interview with Bret Baier at 6 p.m. on Fox News’ “Special Report.”

“We’re hopeful that we’re able to secure that endorsement,” DeSantis told reporters Tuesday during the first of two campaign stops in New Hampshire, the state that holds the first primary and second overall contest in the GOP nominating schedule, after Iowa’s lead-off caucuses.

The Florida governor, along with 2024 GOP White House rivals, former ambassador and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, appeared with Vander Plaats on Friday at a Family Leader presidential forum in Des Moines, Iowa.

GAME ON IN IOWA AS DESANTIS AND HALEY BATTLE FOR SECOND PLACE BEHIND TRUMP 

Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramawamy and Nikki Haley join The Family Leader president and CEO Bob Vander Plaats at a candidate forum in Des Moines, Iowa, on Nov. 17, 2023. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)

“I think that if you saw that Family Leader forum,

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