During his 2022 gubernatorial campaign in Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro took a firm stance against Doug Mastriano, a prominent Christian nationalist advocating for imposing religious beliefs on others.
While Mastoriano and I share a similar religious background as evangelical pastors, our interpretations of Christian values are significantly different. On the other hand, Shapiro and I come from various faith traditions, yet we align on maintaining a shared moral vision.
My organization collaborated with Shapiro throughout the campaign, aiming to connect with voters across different faiths. His approach was straightforward: he sought to embrace all “children of God” in his message, assuring that, as governor, he would advocate for everyone fairly. I genuinely believe this message contributed to his electoral success.
The key to change isn’t about promoting religious agendas; it hinges on outreach through a different lens, a strategy that could help other Democratic candidates succeed in future elections.
A recent poll from Common Good and Change Research indicates a promising opportunity for Democrats to strengthen their ties with religious voters ahead of the 2026 elections.
A commonly held belief is that religious voters are solely inclined to support Republicans, but that’s not the whole picture. A notable portion of religious voters are already aligning with Democrats. For instance, 77% of Harris’s supporters identified as either “reborn” or “evangelical” Christians or indicated that religion holds some degree of importance for them through practices like attending church.
Our findings reveal that 80% of Christian voters are open to supporting Democrats, including 38% who typically vote Republican. These are potential voters that Democrats need to engage more deeply.
Interestingly, nearly 14% of Christian voters describe their religious identity as weak. Many believe the church should actively participate in politics and often lean toward Democratic candidates. Another 3% of Christian voters tend to mix their votes between the two parties.
Even a small shift can lead to significant outcomes. In a highly polarized political environment, where election margins can be slim, it’s crucial for Democratic candidates to focus on this demographic. If they can sway just 2-3% of Christian voters, it could translate into millions of additional votes in critical states.
However, polls suggest further possibilities for outreach beyond just the 3%. Approximately 30% of surveyed individuals claim a moderate or weak Christian identity, often voting Republican but not entirely convinced that religion should dictate political choices.
This demographic is accessible to Democrats with effective outreach, which involves communicating directly with religious voters and conveying a message of inclusion: “We appreciate you, and we need your support.”
Let me clarify, I’m not proposing that Democrats alter their core values or policies in upcoming elections, nor do I recommend they run explicitly religious candidates. Rather, it may be beneficial for them to revisit how they engage with the faith community.
When identifying Christian voters who might lean Democratic, understanding their sense of religious identity and views on the church’s role in politics is essential to differentiate them from those who remain loyal to Republicans.
Still, Democrats face significant hurdles. Faith voters often express distrust towards them, sensing that Democrats don’t prioritize their concerns. Addressing these perceptions will require considerable investment and effort.
Democrats must also capitalize on the openings created by Republicans. Recently, for instance, the IRS has decided to permit churches to endorse political candidates, an adjustment that could change a long-standing imbalance.
For years, Republican leaders have voiced opinions freely from the pulpit, while Democrats and faith leaders have been hesitant, often cautious about crossing boundaries. This new IRS decision can shift that dynamic.
Shapiro’s campaign serves as an illustration of the importance of making faith voters feel acknowledged and respected. In my experience, Democratic politicians who actively engage with Christian voters often see beneficial outcomes. The same principles apply as when working with different community groups.
In recent times, I’ve had the opportunity to work with California’s Katie Porter and Minnesota’s Dean Phillips to help them reach out to religious constituents.
Although some Republicans advocate for a faith-based identity, it’s clear that the Trump administration did not fundamentally align with Christian principles.
Voters disillusioned by the current political climate need reassurance that Democrats have a place for them. Over the past several months, numerous discussions have surfaced about what strategies Democrats should adopt to succeed in the 2026 and 2028 elections. My position is straightforward: to regain their majority, Democrats cannot overlook the Christian voting base.
