The leader of an influential conservative Iowa Christian group on Monday slammed Democratic presidential candidates who declined a summit invitation, telling NBC News that the move suggests they only want to be “president for a piece of America.”

2020 Democratic White House hopefuls South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg Pete ButtigiegThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - GOP closes ranks to fill SCOTUS vacancy by November Buttigieg stands in as Pence for Harris's debate practice Hillicon Valley: FBI, DHS warn that foreign hackers will likely spread disinformation around election results | Social media platforms put muscle into National Voter Registration Day | Trump to meet with Republican state officials on tech liability shield MORE and Sens. Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (N.J.) and Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Nearly 40 Democratic senators call for climate change questions in debates Joe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late MORE (Calif.) said they will not attend a July summit organized by Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the socially conservative group The Family Leader.

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“The message it sends is they want to run for president for a piece of America, not for all of America,” Vander Plaats told NBC. “When they’re sending a vision of unity, we’re offering a chance to discuss unity in a civil and safe environment and have a good conversation about it. We think we’re providing a great opportunity. Obviously it’s their choice.”

Vander Plaats, who served as national co-chair for Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP MORE’s (R-Texas) 2016 presidential campaign, led a successful campaign to vote out three Iowa Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in 2010. In 2012, the group called on all Republican presidential candidates who wanted support from the organization to sign a pledge opposing same-sex marriage and supporting bans on pornography and abortion.

“I cannot — in good conscience — attend an event put on by an organization that preaches bigotry and sows hate against the LGBTQ community,” Booker tweeted Monday.

I welcome any opportunity to talk about how faith guides me, but I cannot—in good conscience—attend an event put on by an organization that preaches bigotry and sows hate against the LGBTQ community. That's why I am declining an invitation to the Family Leader's July 12 summit. — Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) April 29, 2019

Buttigieg, who is gay, initially said he was considered attending the summit, but on Sunday his campaign confirmed it would also decline, according to NBC News.

“We keep an open mind to the invitations that we receive,” Buttigieg press secretary Chris Meagher said. “We will be declining this invitation.” They joined former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who had previously said he would not attend, and Harris, who confirmed Monday she would not.