Some Democrats trying to reclaim the issue of faith from the Republican Party
Several Democratic candidates talk openly about how their faith shaped them. For years, Republicans have had a lock on those who base their vote on their religious preferences and values, but this year's midterm elections have seen some Democratic candidates sharing their faith to try to connect with voters. Starting in the 1980s, in what one expert called an "exodus," there was a shift of voters to the Republican Party based on moral issues. But in some of the most critical races that will help decide control of the next Congress, several Democrats are openly sharing how their faith shapes them and their politics. One of the most consequential Senate races for Democrats this cycle is in Texas, where James Talarico , a state representative and seminarian, hopes his background will help him defeat Republican nominee Ken Paxton, the state's attorney general, who has been marred by a series of scandals , including being the first Texas official to be impeached since 1917.
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She credits her background as a religious leader for helping in her elections and said she won tough statehouse races by "being really accessible to people." Religiously unaffiliated voters have historically aligned with Democrats -- 70% to 27% for Republicans, according to research in 2024 from Pew Research.
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Several Democratic candidates talk openly about how their faith shaped them. For years, Republicans have had a lock on those who base their vote on their religious preferences and values, but this year's midterm elections have seen some Democratic candidates sharing their faith to try to connect with voters. Starting in the 1980s, in what one expert called an "exodus," there was a shift of voters to the Republican Party based on moral issues. But in some of the most critical races that will help decide control of the next Congress, several Democrats are openly sharing how their faith shapes them and their politics. One of the most consequential Senate races for Democrats this cycle is in Texas, where James Talarico , a state representative and seminarian, hopes his background will help him defeat Republican nominee Ken Paxton, the state's attorney general, who has been marred by a series of scandals , including being the first Texas official to be impeached since 1917.
