governor of florida Ron DeSantis It received 50 new endorsements from pastors and faith leaders across Iowa, bringing the total to more than 150 endorsements from faith leaders in the final days before the Iowa caucuses.
Mr. DeSantis' campaign confirmed to Fox News Digital that 50 new supporters are scheduled to caucus for Mr. DeSantis on Monday.
The pastors pointed to DeSantis' “steadfast faith” and record of defending religious freedom in Florida.
“As the other candidates have said, Ron DeSantis is a true man of unwavering faith, a champion of religious freedom, a champion of religious freedom, a man who has united our country,” said Pastor Jeff Morse of Sunnybrook Community Church. He is someone we can trust to bring America back.” “I was honored to cheer him on on caucus night and encourage my fellow Iowans to do the same.”
Haley cancels in-person campaign cancellations, DeSantis events canceled all but two due to Iowa blizzard
Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visits his campaign office in Urbandale, Iowa, on January 12, 2024. (Joe Radle/Getty Images)
A sign indicates there are three days left until the caucuses as Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis visits his campaign office in Urbandale, Iowa, on January 12, 2024. (Joe Radle/Getty Images)
Some pointed to his “Christian worldview” as a reason to support the Florida governor.
“We believe Ron DeSantis is a political candidate whose core beliefs are grounded in the principles of faith and a Christian worldview,” said Pastor AJ Potter of Pleasantville Baptist Church. “He has earned my respect and my full support for the caucuses scheduled for this Monday.”
Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis arrives for a campaign rally at Thunderdome on December 2, 2023 in Newton, Iowa. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The 50 additional endorsements for DeSantis come after his campaign focused on appealing to evangelical voters.
Haley trails DeSantis in race for second place behind Trump in New Iowa poll
In September, DeSantis launched the Faith and Family Coalition, which focuses on his pledge to “protect religious freedom and enable people of faith to prosper and advance their lives and cultures.”
On January 12, 2024, during a campaign stop in Ankeny, Iowa, Republican presidential candidate Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stands with a campaign sign placed in the window as he speaks to members of the Northside Conservative Club. There is. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of Family Leader, an influential social conservative group in Iowa, speaks at the group's conference in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 14, 2023. to speak at the annual Leadership Summit. (family leader)
Bob Vander Plaats, an influential evangelical leader, endorsed DeSantis in November and has regularly campaigned on his behalf.
Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the Family Leaders organization, has long played an important role in a state where evangelical voters play a large role in Republican politics.
Vander Plaats supported former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2008, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in 2012, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in 2016. Although he won the Iowa caucuses, he was unable to win any Republican seats. Presidential candidate nomination.
Former President Donald Trump, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are vying for the Republican presidential primary nomination. (Getty Images)
A new poll released Thursday suggests former ambassador and former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley has overtaken DeSantis for a distant second place. Former President Trump.
A Suffolk University survey of 500 Iowa voters likely to attend Monday's Republican presidential caucuses found President Trump's approval rating at 54%. Haley 20% And DeSantis had 13%.
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The poll was conducted from January 6 to 10, with Haley and DeSantis facing off in a prime-time debate in Iowa, at the same time Trump participated in a Fox News town hall.
FOX News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
