Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the influential conservative group The FAMilY Leader organization, endorsed Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for president in an appearance on Fox News Tuesday evening. ("FAMilY" is their own unique capitalization in their name.)

 Appearing on Bret Baier’s “Special Report,” Vander Plaats said, "We need to find somebody who can win in 2024”:

We need to find somebody who can win in 2024, and that's why I'm endorsing @RonDeSantis. pic.twitter.com/lV7Zjye3qw

— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) November 22, 2023

He also praised DeSantis for winning reelection in Florida in 2022 with huge numbers despite the much-anticipated red wave not materializing in much of the rest of the country:

BREAKING: Faith leader @bobvanderplaats endorses Ron DeSantis for president.

“Gov. DeSantis took a reliable toss-up state in Florida and made it complete red — won by 20 points…He’s also done that by being a bold and courageous leader.”

Vander Plaats endorsed the Iowa Caucus… pic.twitter.com/6vXR2dxZiP

— DeSantis War Room 🐊 (@DeSantisWarRoom) November 21, 2023

The rest of the tweet reads:

"Gov. DeSantis took a reliable toss-up state in Florida and made it complete red — won by 20 points…He’s also done that by being a bold and courageous leader.” 

Vander Plaats endorsed the Iowa Caucus winner in 2008, 2012, and 2016.

 DeSantis thanked Vander Plaats on social media:

Thrilled to endorse @RonDeSantis for President of the United States. #ChooseWell2024 https://t.co/chS2A5pFS8

— Bob Vander Plaats (@bobvanderplaats) November 21, 2023

The endorsement did not come as a surprise as DeSantis had indicated it was coming earlier Tuesday:

"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.

Former President Donald Trump was invited to the forum but chose not to attend. Vander Plaats' relationship with Trump has been described as "rocky." DeSantis pointed at Vander Plaats on Tuesday and said, "Bob has been somebody that’s been very vocal that Donald Trump is not going to be the way forward, not going to be able to get the job done, particularly as a lame duck president."

As we reported, DeSantis also picked up a big endorsement from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds earlier this month. "I believe he [Trump] can’t win,” Reynolds said of Trump, “and I believe that Ron can."