Influential Iowa evangelical leader, Bob Vander Plaats, has raised doubts about recent polling that suggests continued support for former President Trump among evangelical voters. Vander Plaats, CEO of The Family Leader, expressed his skepticism in an interview with The Washington Post on Thursday, stating that the polling results do not align with what he is hearing on the ground.

Although Vander Plaats acknowledged that he is a fan of Iowa political pollster Ann Selzer, he pointed out that she has been wrong in the past. Despite endorsing Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) over a month ago, Vander Plaats shared his concerns about DeSantis trailing behind Trump in both state and national polls.

According to the latest polling data from Decision Desk HQ, in collaboration with The Hill, Trump is currently leading with 54 percent support among Iowa voters. Meanwhile, DeSantis garnered 17 percent support. However, Vander Plaats asserted that he believes Trump's lead is "much closer to low 40s" and not as substantial as the polling suggests.

Vander Plaats emphasized that there is still ample time for the race to shift, and he remains unconvinced of a disconnect between evangelicals who support Trump and those who do not. He argued that Trump's familiarity and widespread recognition gives him an advantage among evangelical Iowa voters, citing his "100 percent name ID."

Furthermore, Vander Plaats acknowledged the existence of a segment within the evangelical community that desires a disruptor, which he fully understands. His previous endorsement of DeSantis drew the ire of Trump, prompting Vander Plaats to clarify that despite voting for Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 elections, he has never been an outright supporter.

Looking ahead to the Iowa caucuses, Vander Plaats emphasized that DeSantis must perform strongly, ideally as a close second to Trump, in order to prevent the former president from securing a second term in the White House. Vander Plaats expressed uncertainty about any other candidate potentially challenging Trump's inevitability in the GOP nomination race.

As the Republican nomination race continues to unfold, Vander Plaats's skepticism regarding the polling results and concerns over Trump's lead among evangelical voters create additional intrigue and uncertainty in the electoral landscape. With Iowa being a crucial battleground, the significance of capturing the evangelical voting bloc remains a pivotal factor for any candidate vying for the GOP nomination.