When Josh Shapiro ran to the governor of Pennsylvania in 2022, heWas against Dag Mastriano, a vocal Christian nationalist who wanted to impose his faith in others.
As an Gun Pastor himself, Mastriano and I come from the same religious tradition, but we fundamentally disagree when it comes when we explain Christian values. On the other hand, Shapiro and I come from various religious traditions, yet our values align around maintaining common good.
My organization worked with Shapiro during his 2022 campaign as they spoke directly to the trust voters of both of their Jewish beliefs and outside. His message was clear: He wanted to welcome all the children of God in this campaign and promised to fight equally as governors. I feel wholeheartedly that this message helped Shapiro win.
The principle of change is not about following religious ideals. It is about doing different ways, which can help many other Democratic candidates win their elections, especially in important swing states.
Vote Common Good and Change Research proves that there is an opportunity for Democrats in 2026 and to deepen their relationship with voters of faith, in which 2024 voted for Democrats and some of them were not.
The generally accepted story is that religious voters should vote for Republican, but it is not true in behavior. Christian voters already create a large block for Democrats. In fact, 77 percent of Harris voters are identified as either “births” or “agel” Christians, or they said that they pray, that religion has some importance to them, that they participate in the church or they identify with a religion.
In our pole, 80 percent of self-identified Christian voters say they are ready to vote for a Democrat, including 38 percent people who said they have only voted for Republicans. These are Goable Christian voters who should reach Democrats.
About 14 percent of Christian voters have low Christian identity, they believe that churches should stay out of politics and say that they all or most of them vote for Democrats. Another 3 percent of Christian voters divided their tickets between Democrats and Republicans.
Small hinges open large doors. In a polarized political atmosphere where the election error is won in margin, it is time to take notice for Democratic candidates and their campaigns. By transferring additional 2 or 3 percent of Christian voters, Democrats can get millions of votes and win a significant race in the major battlefields.
But the pole clearly shows that there is more likely to attract 3 percent of Christian voters. About 30 percent of the respondents are identified as moderate or low Christian identity, often vote for Republican, but either are not sure that the churches should join political matters or take the side of one candidate on the other.
These voters are Getable for Democrats with the right outreach. This means talking directly to religious voters, and telling them: “I like, we need you.”
Then, I am not suggest that the Democratic party should change its values or its policies in future election cycles. I am also not suggesting that the Democratic Party should run religious candidates. I am suggesting that the Democratic Party should re -evaluate the degree that it is attached to the belief communities.
In the creation of Christians who will vote for the Democrats, Christian identity approaches and the role of organized religion in politics will be the most helpful in separating those who will consider voting for the Democrats who will not.
Do not misunderstand me, there are serious challenges for the Democrats. Vishwas voters reported a significant lack of faith in the Democratic Party and a common sense that the Democratic Party is an immortal for the Vishwas Voters. This will try to invest important and change it.
Democrats need to take opportunities available for them – which Republicans are already doing. Just this week, IRS decidedAllow churches to support candidatesLeveling a sports ground that has been omitted for decades.
For a very long time, Republican politicians and their colleagues have talked independently of Pulpits, while many Democrats and Vishwas leaders held back, worried that they would cross an invisible line. This decision removes that roadblock.
Shapiro’s campaign is a great example of how faith voters know that you listen to them, see them and even like them, there is a big difference. In my experience, politicians of the Democratic party who spend time reaching Christian voters see the same positive results as their efforts – just as it works with other constituencies.
In recent years, we represented California. Also worked with Katie Porter (D-Calif) and to help them reach voters of faith from Minnesota from Dean Philips (D-Mainon).
The Republican party, and especially the Maga Republican, may want to claim religion as a part of their party’s identity, but it is clear that the Trump administration is not a basis in faith or Christian principles.
Voters who do not agree what they are looking for in American politics now need to know that there is a place for them in the Democratic party – for people like me, a business pastor by business, who cares about common good.
What Democrats need to do to win the 2026, 2028 and beyond elections has been written in the last six months, and I will argue that the answer is clear. To become a majority party, Democrats cannot ignore America’s religious majority – Christian voters.
Doug Pagit is one of the executive director and the founders of Vote Common Good. He is a major voice for a writer, pastor and social worker along with progressive Christianity.
