Democrats Turn to Scripture in Bid to Win Christian Voters Ahead of 2026 Midterms

Feb 17 (GeokHub) — A growing number of Democratic candidates are placing faith at the center of their campaigns as they attempt to connect with Christian voters ahead of November’s U.S. midterm elections.

Among them is Iowa state senator and Lutheran minister Sarah Trone Garriott, who has made religious language a defining feature of her political message. She is part of a broader movement of Democratic candidates explicitly linking Christian teachings to policy positions — an approach party strategists hope could narrow Republicans’ longstanding advantage with faith-based voters.

A Strategic Shift on Faith and Politics

Christian voters have historically leaned Republican in national elections. In 2024, President Donald Trump secured overwhelming support from white evangelical voters and majorities among several other Christian groups, according to election analyses.

However, some Democratic candidates believe there is room to compete, particularly as debates over immigration policy, economic inequality, and social issues intensify during Trump’s second term.

Political science professor David Campbell of the University of Notre Dame said religious identity is often associated with conservative politics, but a small group of Democrats are now using faith language to advocate for progressive priorities.

Several Democratic candidates running in 2026 have formal religious training or serve in ministry roles.

Alaska congressional candidate Matt Schultz is a Presbyterian pastor. Texas Senate hopeful James Talarico is studying in a Presbyterian seminary. More than a dozen faith leaders are reportedly seeking federal or state office as Democrats this year — a higher number than in recent cycles.

Unlike previous faith-driven Democratic leaders such as Raphael Warnock, many of this year’s candidates are not rooted in the historically influential Black church network that forms part of the Democratic base. Instead, they are attempting to reach moderate and white Christian voters who have trended Republican for decades.

Navigating a Secular Democratic Base

The strategy carries risks. Surveys show the Democratic coalition has become increasingly secular over time, with a significant share of voters identifying as religiously unaffiliated.

Candidates must therefore balance appeals to faith-based voters while maintaining support from a base that may be cautious about overt religious messaging.

Schultz said he is not concerned about alienating non-religious voters, arguing that Americans can differentiate between personal faith and public policy.

Faith and Policy Collide

Some candidates are explicitly connecting scripture to positions on contentious issues, including abortion rights — traditionally a difficult issue for Democrats among Christian voters.

Schultz has argued that his support for reproductive rights aligns with his interpretation of Christian teachings, while Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has framed economic justice as consistent with Biblical calls to support the vulnerable.

Immigration has also become a focal point. Critics of the Trump administration’s enforcement policies have cited religious principles emphasizing compassion and care for migrants and disadvantaged communities.

Republican campaign officials, however, remain skeptical that such messaging will significantly shift Christian voter alignment, arguing that GOP policies more closely reflect traditional faith-based values.

Midterm Stakes

The 2026 midterms are shaping up as a test of whether religious messaging can broaden Democratic appeal beyond its increasingly secular base.

While it remains unclear how effective the strategy will be, the emergence of clergy and faith-forward candidates highlights a renewed effort to redefine the intersection of religion and progressive politics.

As debates over immigration, abortion, and economic policy intensify, both parties appear poised to compete more directly for values-driven voters in what could be a closely contested election cycle.