Midwest Evangelical Leader Considers Backing Underdog 2024 Candidate

Influential evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats is expected to endorse Ron DeSantis in the presidential primary, despite DeSantis running 30 points behind frontrunner Donald Trump in Iowa. Vander Plaats has a track record of picking winners in GOP primaries, but endorsing DeSantis poses a risk as it may anger Trump and evangelical Christians who support him. DeSantis, however, sees Vander Plaats' support as a boost to his campaign as he seeks to erode Trump's lead in Iowa. Vander Plaats' endorsement will test both his own clout and the willingness of evangelicals to abandon Trump.