Influential Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats, president of the Family Leader, is expected to endorse Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican primary race, sources with knowledge told ABC News.

Vander Plaats’ support, which is set to be announced later on Tuesday, will come after DeSantis secured the backing of Iowa’s popular Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has said DeSantis is the only candidate who can beat former President Donald Trump in the primary despite still notably trailing Trump in the polls. …

Supporters of DeSantis see the recent endorsements from Vander Plaats and Reynolds as a result of the governor putting time and energy into Iowa and trying to connect with as many voters in the state as possible.

“Gov. DeSantis has done the work in Iowa, unlike Trump, and it’s showing,” Dan Eberhart, a donor and supporter of his campaign, told ABC News.

[Polls don’t necessarily mean as much in caucus states like Iowa. Organization matters more, and so does traditional retail politics. And getting both Kim Reynolds and Bob Vander Plaats on board will move the needle among Iowa Republicans — although how much remains to be seen. — Ed]