Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis picked up 50 new endorsements from faith leaders in Iowa, pushing his total over 150 before Monday's first-in-the-nation caucus, his campaign announced.
"Gov. DeSantis is the one candidate that I believe truly wants to put America first," Pastor R.J. Montis, Ankeny Hope Church of the Nazarene (Polk County, Iowa) said. "He has proven this through his military service and in his work as the governor of Florida.
"I see a man who leads his family well, has continued to stand firm for conservative values, and has been successful at every level."
DeSantis has poured his time and energy into making a strong grassroots push in the state, hoping to kick off a 2024 GOP primary cycle that helps him surprise polling leader former President Donald Trump and chief rival former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
The endorsements from the "National Faith and Family Coalition" vow to be caucusing for him Monday.
"Other candidates talk, but Ron DeSantis is a true man of unwavering faith and defender of religious liberty who we can trust to unite our nation and revive America," Pastor Jeff Moes, Sunnybrook Community Church (Woodbury County, Iowa) said.
"I will be honored to support him on caucus night and encourage my fellow Iowans to do the same."
DeSantis, who is Catholic, received the endorsement of Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats and former gubernatorial candidate and current Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has been campaigning with him.
"I believe that Ron DeSantis is a political candidate whose core convictions are based upon principles of faith and a Christian worldview," Pastor A.J. Potter, Pleasantville Baptist Church (Marion County) said.
DeSantis hopes his "God over government" platform will buoy him against long odds in the polls.
A Des Moines Register poll released late Saturday gave Trump 48% support with Haley second at 20%, DeSantis at 16%.
Newsmax's Mike Carter reported no primary candidate has held a larger lead in the final Register poll, and leaders of the final poll have historically gone on to win the caucus.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story had misnamed the "National Faith and Family Coalition." The Faith & Freedom Coalition does not endorse candidates.
Eric Mack ✉
Eric Mack has been a writer and editor at Newsmax since 2016. He is a 1998 Syracuse University journalism graduate and a New York Press Association award-winning writer.
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