Democratic candidates are increasingly using explicit religious messaging to appeal to Christian voters in the midterms, hoping to erode longstanding Republican dominance among faith-based constituencies.
An unusually large group of Democratic candidates, including clergy members and seminarians such as Iowa state senator Sarah Trone Garriott, are explicitly invoking Christian teachings in their campaigns as they seek to win over religious voters who have long favored Republicans in U.S. midterm elections. The effort comes as President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown faces criticism from some faith groups, with candidates arguing their policy positions on issues such as immigration, abortion and economic justice are rooted in scripture, even as analysts warn they must balance outreach to moderate Christian voters with a Democratic base that has grown increasingly secular.