WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A prominent Iowa social conservative is endorsing Sen. John McCain's likely presidential run, days after a leading member of the Christian right publicly disparaged the Arizona Republican's candidacy.

Maxine Sieleman -- founder of the Iowa chapter of Concerned Women for America, a conservative public policy organization -- said she is drawn to McCain's conservative stances on social issues and his foreign policy credentials, the senator announced Wednesday.

"After considerable research, reflection and prayer, I determined that Sen. McCain was the clear choice for conservatives and Iowa families," Sieleman said in a statement. "He is the one candidate who has a consistent record of supporting pro-life, pro-family legislation."

Sieleman's endorsement comes on the heels of Dr. James Dobson's comments last week repudiating McCain's stance on same-sex marriage. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, cited McCain's refusal to back a constitutional amendment banning the practice and said, "I pray that we won't get stuck with him."

Having a somewhat tepid relationship with evangelical conservatives for the majority of his political career, McCain said Monday he's hoping to engage in a "dialogue with Dr. Dobson and other members of the community."