DeSantis Prays With National Faith Leaders on Public Video Call

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — On Wednesday, Ron DeSantis participated in a video call hosted by the Family Policy Alliance. Thousands of supporters listened in as national faith leaders prayed for Israel and the families of those killed by Hamas.

“I’m grieving for what’s happening there,” DeSantis told listeners. “But I know that there’s an anger and a resolve simmering underneath all of that, that is going to propel Israel forward to meet this most grave challenge.”

STANDING IN SOLIDARITY

DeSantis said since he’s been governor, Florida has been the number one place for the migration of Orthodox Jews. On Wednesday, the governor announced a legislative proposal in Surfside, Florida, at the Shul of Bal Harbour.

“This prayer call, it’s very, very important, and even though I’m not here in a political capacity to endorse anybody, I’m grateful to Governor DeSantis,” said Joel Rosenberg, host of the Rosenberg Report. “I was very impressed with him. I’m glad that he wanted to do this call.”

National faith leaders who joined Governor DeSantis on the call included Craig DeRoche, CEO of Family Policy Alliance, Bob Vander Plaats, CEO of The Family Leader and Pastor Greg Laurie, Senior Pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California.

Bob Vander Plaats commended DeSantis for his “unwavering commitment” to Israel as Florida’s governor and as a former member of Congress. Admonishing listeners to “choose well,” Vander Plaats stopped just short of officially endorsing DeSantis for president.

On Tuesday, Vander Plaats announced he would host a Thanksgiving Family Forum inviting qualifying presidential candidates to gather around a Thanksgiving table for a discussion about the future of the nation. In an exclusive interview in August, Vander Plaats told The Florida Standard that he would likely make an endorsement around Thanksgiving time.

LEANING IN ON EVANGELICALS

As Iowa and New Hampshire prepare to vote in early primaries, DeSantis has leaned in on appealing to Evangelical voters. This week, DeSantis stopped at a pregnancy resource center in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Staff at the center said they’ve never had a high-profile visitor like DeSantis, who toured the four-room office with his wife Casey. During the visit, DeSantis praised the center’s outreach to parents, touting similar programs in Florida.

“I think what they’re doing is really good work,” DeSantis told the Des Moines Register. 

When asked if he would support federal funding for pregnancy resource centers, DeSantis said “It would depend on the circumstances, but I definitely think this is a worthy cause.”