Iowa’s Family Leader’s CEO Bob Vander Plaats Endorses Ted Cruz

Iowa’s Family Leader announced on Thursday that it won’t be endorsing any GOP presidential candidate before the Iowa Caucus, but it’s CEO, Bob Vander Plaats, issued an endorsement on Facebook for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).

Vander Plaats said:

When picking a candidate for president, I have long stated that I’m looking for someone who has the character to withstand the attacks that inevitably come during a campaign, has proven himself competent, surrounds himself with the company of trustworthy advisors, and who has demonstrated the ability to raise enough campaign cash to go the distance. Many of the candidates running met several of these criteria, but only one brings all four to the table. That man is Ted Cruz.
Ted Cruz has proven to be a man of character who is trustworthy in all areas. He is a dedicated husband and father, and a proven public servant. Not only that, he is the son of a godly man that many of us here in Iowa have grown to love and respect in his own right. Ted Cruz has repeatedly stood in the gap on principle when political expediency would have caused a lesser man to compromise and capitulate. I believe this is exactly the sort of consistent conservative we will need to lead us when President Obama leaves office.

The Family Leader posted on its website:

The ministry of The FAMiLY LEADER has grown in recent years to encompass far more than elections and candidates. Especially with the growing, global impact of the If 7:14 call to prayer for revival, our focus is on transforming culture, strengthening families, and inspiring Christ-like leadership. Our work with pastors and churches has grown as well, and it’s critical that none of our ministry efforts be seen as being co-opted by a partisan agenda.

For these reasons and others, our board unanimously decided The FAMiLY LEADER needs to remain a standard bearer for Christian principles in our culture and government, and not endeavor to be a kingmaker in the election process.

Vander Plaats endorsed the previous two Iowa Caucus winners, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2008 and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in 2012.

The Family Leader is a social conservative organization in Iowa. It’s mission is to “[s]strengthen families, by inspiring Christ-like leadership in the home, the church, and the government.”